Smack Mellon’s unique Benefit is held on Kentucky Derby Day, Saturday, May 7, 2011. Tickets are $250 and each ticket guarantees one artwork and admits two people. Guests bet on horses (which determines the order in which the artwork is selected), and the race is projected all around the gallery. Throughout the Derby-themed evening, everyone can enjoy delicious mint juleps and tasty home-style southern food.

Tickets can be purchased here: smackmellon.org/index.php?cID=1093

All proceeds will directly support Smack Mellon’s Exhibition, Artist Studio and two Education Programs.

Smack Mellon’s mission is to nurture and support emerging, under-recognized mid-career and women artists in the creation and exhibition of new work, by providing exhibition opportunities, studio workspace, and access to equipment and technical assistance for the realization of ambitious projects.

The Exhibition Program is at the center of the organization, the program focuses on providing opportunities for artists to create site-specific works that creatively respond to our space, and work that explores innovative uses of both new technologies and traditional materials. The Artist Studio Program, launched in 2000, provides free studio space, access to a workshop for metal, wood and general fabrication, a common area equipped with the latest technology, and a fellowship to six artists for an eleven-month period. In 2007 two new Arts Education Programs were developed for youth, to better prepare underserved young people for the professional world and to expose them to diverse artistic disciplines. The Art Ready after-school program partners high school students with professional artists in NYC for a 4-month mentorship to help them make a more informed decision about pursuing a career in the arts. The Summer Arts Intensive is a free, month long arts workshop for low-income middle-high school students.

Smack Mellon (smackmellon.org)
92 Plymouth Street, Brooklyn NY 11201
(718) 834.8761

Last week, the United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano ruled that the National Park Service (“NPS”) violated federal law by removing two historic landmarks from federally protected parkland. In January, we wondered why the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) requested the park boundary be amended in 2008 knowing that events were held at the Tobacco Warehouse (OPRHP wrote to NPS to request that the park’s boundary map be amended because “These former warehouse buildings [the Empire Stores and Tobacco Warehouse] are not suitable for nor used by the public for outdoor recreational opportunities in the park”). By amending the boundary, it allows for the property contained within the park to be altered. However, the ruling orders NPS to protect these Civil-War era structures – the Tobacco Warehouse and the Empire Stores – from the current development plans.

The lawsuit was filed by the Brooklyn Heights Association, the Fulton Ferry Landing Association, the New York Landmarks Conservancy, and the Preservation League of New York State.

So what’s next for these buildings? According to The Brooklyn Eagle, “The city’s Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation, which supports the plan to lease the Tobacco Warehouse to St. Ann’s Warehouse to develop a $15 million performance space and community center, vowed to continue trying to make that proposal a reality.”

The following list are references from around the web last week:

• Tobacco Warehouse deal up in smoke, 11Apr11, NYDN
• Judge Halts Tobacco Warehouse Transfer, 12Apr11, Brownstoner
• Judge Blocks City’s Proposal for 2 Buildings in Brooklyn, 10Apr11, NYT
• Federal Court Rebukes National Park Service, 11Apr11, FFLA
• Tobacco no-ed!, 11Apr11, BK Pape
• Tobacco Warehouse Decision Vindicates Heights Association, 11Apr11, BK Eagle
• Federal Court Rebukes National Park Service, 10Apr11, PRN
• Brooklyn Judge Blocks St. Ann’s Warehouse From Building New Dumbo Home, 11Apr11, WNYC

Previously on DumboNYC:
{St. Ann’s Warehouse Given The Go at Tobacco Warehouse, 16Feb2011}
{Neighborhood Associations Sue to Stop Development of Tobacco Warehouse, 19Jan2011}
{Why Did NY State Parks Claim That Tobacco Warehouse is Not Used for Public Recreation?, 12Jan2011}
{Tobacco Warehouse, 17Apr2009}

The last concert series in the Spring season for JAM ON DUMBO is on Sunday, April 17. JAM ON DUMBO is working hard to bring sing-a-longs, music workshops, and other fun activities to Dumbo this spring and summer.

When: Sunday, April 17, 3-6pm
Where: Water Street Restaurant, (66 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201)

$20 kids (price includes parents) $10 additional sibling, Pre-walker siblings FREE

(Photo credit: Oshrat Yuval)

Previously:
{Dumbo Kids Winter Music Concert Series (Sun, March 27)}
{Dumbo Kids Winter Music Concert Series (Feb 9)}

The following are selected links from this past week on blogs and websites with discussion about Dumbo (and its neighboring areas):

• Dumbo Residents Request Film Permit Ban, 11Apr11, BK Paper
• Bill for Dumbo Film Shoots, 14Apr11, Brownstoner
• Developers + Artists = Hot Real Estate Market, 11Apr11, About
• ‘Black Watch,’ must-see play returns to St. Ann’s, 11Apr11, BK Paper
• Environmental Destruction Is Theme of DUMBO Program, 11Apr11, BK Eagle
• DUMBO’s Retail Vacancy Rate At 15.8%, Survey Says, 12Apr11, BK Eagle
• Brooklyn’s Best Easter Egg Hunts, 13Apr11, BK Eagle
• Gallery To Unveil Mural Project At Brooklyn High School, 12Apr11, BK Eagle
• Rental Prices for 25 Washington Revealed, 15Apr11, Brownstoner
• Market Reports: Sales Volume Up in Brooklyn, 15Apr11, Brownstoner
• The Most Expensive Condo in Brooklyn, 14Apr11, Brownstoner
• Development Watch: PS 8 Addition, 12Apr11, Brownstoner
• Dumbo’s 25 Washington Gets Rents and New Name, 14Apr11, Curbed

Last we heard about the most expensive condo in Brooklyn in July 2010, Two Trees Management reported that the $25million penthouse at 1 Main Street was being reserved for a buyer who was considering the condo for purchase. The triplex is back on the market at the Clocktower building for $23.5million. The listing is represented by Michele Kleier, of Gumley Haft Kleier, and her daughters Sabrina Kleier-Morgenstern and Samantha Kleier-Forbes, according to the NY Post. The listing description of the penthouse:

A spectacular, one of a kind approximately 7,000 square foot three story Penthouse plus 400 sq. ft. private interior and exterior roof deck in the famed 1914 landmark Clock Tower Building. Four enormous clocks with glass faces offer panoramic 360 Degree Views from this high floor beauty with ceiling heights that range between 11-16 feet. Magnificent light and views of the Manhattan Skyline, Statue of Liberty, East River and both the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.

A keyed elevator leads to this magnificent residence, featuring a private 3-story elevator and architectural wrap around stainless steel and glass staircase, with solid white oak treads. There are three bedrooms and three and a half baths.

The kitchen is custom Canova with white lacquer cabinets, Pietra Cardosa stone and stainless steel countertops with integral sinks and appliances by Gaggenau and Sub-Zero. The baths feature natural stone floors with radiant heat, exquisite glass wall tiles and custom European fixtures by Dornbracht.

Common Charges: $2,687 per month
Real Estate Taxes: $3,783 per month

Now that it’s back on the market, time to open your checkbooks!

Previously:
{$25 Million Dumbo Apartment in Negotiation, 21Jul2010}
{New Co-Exclusive Listing for 1 Main Street PH, 01Feb2010}
{One Main PH Set at $25M, 10Aug2009}
{1 Main Street Rooftop Solarium, 25Jan2008}

Around the web:
{New Listing Arrives for Brooklyn’s Priciest Pad, 15Apr2011, Curbed}
{Price Cut, New Brokers for Brooklyn’s Priciest Pad, 14Apr2011, Curbed}
{‘Time’ to lower the price, 15Apr2011, NYP}
{Dumbo’s Clocktower triplex back on the market for $23.5M, 14Apr2011, TRD}
{The Most Expensive Condo in Brooklyn: Now Yours for a Mere $23.5 Mil, 14Apr2011, Brownstoner}

two, a clothing and design studio based in Dumbo (55 Washington Street) is showcasing a new line of tunics and caftans for women made from Indian textiles and sarees on Friday, April 15, 2011, 2pm-7pm.

The show is taking place at Dumbo Arts Center, 111 Front Street, Suite 212, Brooklyn, NY 11201.

Fundraising for chaity: water
When? Friday, April 15th – 8:30PM
Where? 50 Bridge Street (#306), Brooklyn NY 11201
The goal for the night is to raise $5,000 for the development of a fresh water well, providing clean and safe drinking water to an entire community!

The suggested donation of $26 will:

• Provide one person with access to clean water.
• Get you into the party w/ free food and drinks (open bar).
• Enter you into a raffle for a chance to win $1,000 worth of travel vouchers from Liberty Travel in Chelsea.

100% of your donations directly fund clean water projects in developing nations. mycharitywater.org/BrianTurns26

The building conversion project at 25 Washington Street by Two Trees Management from a commercial building to a residential rental building is nearly complete. The 105 rental units include an 80/20 Housing Program of New York State Homes and Community Renewal component and offers 21 affordable rental apartments. The building, originally built in 1901, is being marketed as Gair2 after the name of the original owner, Robert Gair (and the building number). The building was leased by the Charles William Stores as the administrative headquarters, housing the firm’s general offices, employment and educational divisions, dispensary, and recreation and reading rooms (See prior post for more history on the building).

According to the Gair2 website, the market rate rental prices are listed as follows:

• 1 bedrooms from $2,400
• 1 bedroom + home office from $2,900
• 2 bedrooms from $3,950

These are not the monthly rates for the low income rentals. Floorplans are also shown on the Gair2 website (click apt number for floorplan image):

• Apt 1C-7C (1 bed+home office, 765sqft)
• Apt 2G (1 bed, 567sqft + terrace)
• Apt 3A-7A (2 bed, 888sqft)
• Apt 3F (2 bed, 1170sqft)
• Apt 4H (2 bed, 918sqft + terrace)
• Apt 8C (2 bed, 1020sqft)
• Apt 9H (2 bed, 822sqft + terrace)

Interior photos aren’t available yet, but we can see the windows have triple paned soundproofing. Reactions on pricing for these rentals?

Gair2 (Gair2.com)
25 Washington Street, Brooklyn NY 11201
Phone: 718-222-5555

Previously:
{25 Washington Street Taking Applications for Low Income Rentals, 06Jan2011}
{Img: 25 Washington Rooftop Addition, 03Sep2010}
{25 Washington St LPC Hearing Sept 7, 24Aug2010}
{25 Washington Rentals to Open in March 2011, 23Jul2010}
{25 Washington St Progress, 14Jul2010}
{Help: 25 Washington Tenants Looking for Office Leases, 20Nov2009}

Ajimas Grocery (54 Jay Street, Brooklyn NY 11201), the bodega next to Jimi’s Deli (52 Jay Street), has closed. The space is now empty and we asked the workers who were cleaning up about plans for the space. They said that either a “pizza place or a fancy sandwich shop” will open up in its place. Does anyone know for certain?

Permit # C 141: On Thursday, April 14, 2011 (7am – 7am (Fri))

Chrysler is filming a commercial on Water Street between Jay and Pearl Street and at Pearl Street Triangle today. There were a few old cars from the 50s on Water Street, including an old school cop car. If you have further questions you can contact their Locations Department at 212-925-0055.

All filming posts are tagged here: DumboNYC.com/tag/filming