Real estate developers Joshua Guttman and David Walentas own many of the buildings in Dumbo and have converted buildings into residential condos. Mr. Walentas converted the former warehouse buildings 1 Main Street, 30 Main Street, and 70 Washington Street to luxury condos, and several others into rental buildings, commercial space and artists’ lofts. Mr. Guttman converted 50 Bridge street and 55 Bridge Street into loft condos, and 68 Jay Street to commercial space. Mr. Guttman is also known for a few lawsuits such as the suspected arson of 247 Water Street. The preservationists have been trying to work with these developers to stop demolition of the old buildings that have historic significance. However, according to a DNA email sent out to friends and neighbors of DUMBO, “Local developers have recently lobbied the Landmarks Preservation Commission to stop the historic designation process for DUMBO.”

The DUMBO Neighborhood Association (DNA) has been trying to landmark the area through the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). The Brooklyn Heights Courier writes:

City Councilmember David Yassky said he has asked the Department of City Planning and the LPC to move forward as quickly as possible to create a historic district in DUMBO. “The process so far has been haphazard. My hope is that the city will give this historic area the attention it deserves,” said Yassky.

To be fair, there are developers who are sensitive to Dumbo’s history and seek to preserve and restore building facades and details. Other developers are opposed to the landmarking designation because any work they do to the exterior of their buildings would require LPC approval to ensure compliance with the design standards for historic districts. Preservationists are concerned with maintaining the integrity of the buildings and neighborhood of Dumbo.

Let’s hope both preservationists and developers can come to a reasonable compromise so residents, visitors, and business owners can all enjoy the neighborhood and the area’s charm that attracted them in the first place.

{Preservationists rush to protect DUMBO – Neighborhood deserves Historic District status, advocates say, Brooklyn Heights Courier, 2/9/07}