Dumbo Brooklyn Complaints

Jimmy McMillan in Dumbo: Funny or Sad Truth?

From time to time we get complaints about Dumbo in our inbox. And by time to time, we mean daily. Some are valid, while others are misdirected anger. Some complaints have been consistent over time (7+ years) and some are new. We normally don’t like to dwell on negatives, but maybe something good can come from listing these. Here are a few choice quotes (emailed to us or as a comment on this website) grouped by topic and frequency in the past month or so.

  1. Building alarms: “Any idea what’s going on with the middle of the night alarms being set off? Saw a light flashing at 2:45am in front of Foragers. This has been going on every night for weeks.” (email)
  2. Filming in Dumbo: “There should be a balance here that simply does not exist. We are not just a back lot for film crews to use for free- we are a living, breathing, neighborhood that do not need these shoots invading our space.” (source)
  3. Lunch/Dining options: “Please Please bring us some more decent food options. Landlords, let the food and beverage establishments come in, they will only make your properties more valuable and your tenants happier!” (source)
  4. Gentrification: “I applied for an apartment at 25 Washington Street for middle income earners, but was sold out. How can one get an apartment in Dumbo that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg?” and “Why are rentals in DUMBO so damn expensive? I can’t find anything under $3000. HELP!” (emails) [Ed: Median price for rentals in Dumbo are nearly $4,300, according to Streeteasy]
  5. Parking: “Parking in Dumbo used to be easy, but with construction and yuppies moving in, good luck finding a spot.” (reference) [Ed: This complaint has been consistent over time regardless of construction.]
  6. Residential building management: [Ed: All of these are complaints about building management. Rather than naming names, contact your building manager.]
  7. Dogs and Kids: “The number of dogs and kids in Dumbo are past the annoying stage. What’s the best building without dogs or kids?” (email) [Ed: Umm, none?]

We also get complaints about this website – “why don’t you feature us? Where’s the article about xyz? Your posts are biased.” As mentioned in the about page, this site is run by one person (not affiliated with real estate, the Dumbo BID or art galleries). “We” can’t do it without the tips and emails from you, but sometimes I cannot answer all emails. Thank you. Also the ads are served on the site to support the community. Ad revenue is recycled back into Dumbo non-profits and organizations. Guest posters are welcome!

We used to get a lot of complaints about the street construction, but once Washington Street and Water Street were completed, the complaints stopped. There are others, but if you have a constructive one that we can bring to attention to local officials, neighborhood groups, or businesses, please comment below.

36 Comment

  • I look at this website every day and appreciate what you do. Thanks

  • I look at this website every day and appreciate what you do. Thanks

  • building with no dogs OR kids? are you kidding me? Can I yell : ” HERMIT”? Move to the North Pole then jeezus! Single, “no kids” people that hate kids are pathetic. Find “love” man..greatest thing in the world.

  • building with no dogs OR kids? are you kidding me? Can I yell : ” HERMIT”? Move to the North Pole then jeezus! Single, “no kids” people that hate kids are pathetic. Find “love” man..greatest thing in the world.

  • Not just lunch – Good dinner spots. It is the one thing that this neighborhood is truly lacking. Right not the only edible food in Dumbo is Vinegar Hill House (Superfine is ok)….

  • Not just lunch – Good dinner spots. It is the one thing that this neighborhood is truly lacking. Right not the only edible food in Dumbo is Vinegar Hill House (Superfine is ok)….

  • Almar’s good now
    and looks like work in 1 main is happening. Got high hopes for that one.

  • Almar’s good now
    and looks like work in 1 main is happening. Got high hopes for that one.

  • Almar is good for lunch and dinner but we need more variety in the neighborhood. I agree with HUNGRY. superfine is just ” ok” but is Vinegar Hill in DUMBO? I know its near us and I still haven’t gone there. Have heard many good things. Meanwhile Gallery “should” be great but its mediocre 🙁

  • Almar is good for lunch and dinner but we need more variety in the neighborhood. I agree with HUNGRY. superfine is just ” ok” but is Vinegar Hill in DUMBO? I know its near us and I still haven’t gone there. Have heard many good things. Meanwhile Gallery “should” be great but its mediocre 🙁

  • Pub One is changing hands, a new establishment has applied for a liquor license…Chipotle is coming in on Front Street…and we’ll have a new high end restaurant at 1 Main

  • Pub One is changing hands, a new establishment has applied for a liquor license…Chipotle is coming in on Front Street…and we’ll have a new high end restaurant at 1 Main

  • The same team from Colony on Atlantic and Henry are taking over the Pub 1 space…where is the Chipotle opening up shop??

  • The same team from Colony on Atlantic and Henry are taking over the Pub 1 space…where is the Chipotle opening up shop??

  • Thanks Keiran, appreciate the comment. The restaurant duct and interior at 1 Main is progressing. By the summer, there will definitely be more food options in Dumbo. Also, Punto Bianco (the cafe on Jay/John) is now open. Has anyone tried the food?

  • Thanks Keiran, appreciate the comment. The restaurant duct and interior at 1 Main is progressing. By the summer, there will definitely be more food options in Dumbo. Also, Punto Bianco (the cafe on Jay/John) is now open. Has anyone tried the food?

  • Is Chipotle really coming? That would be awesome.

  • Is Chipotle really coming? That would be awesome.

  • Chipotle signed a lease in the big corner loft space at Front and Washington, that was originally rumored to be a florist.

  • Chipotle signed a lease in the big corner loft space at Front and Washington, that was originally rumored to be a florist.

  • Actually, parking in Dumbo did used to be easy. As recently as 2004, there was always a space and rarely a ticket.

  • Actually, parking in Dumbo did used to be easy. As recently as 2004, there was always a space and rarely a ticket.

  • Yeah, real recent, 8 years ago!!

  • Yeah, real recent, 8 years ago!!

  • I heard from one of my sources that there will be another Mexican restaurant opening in Dumbo in the near future in addition to Chipotle.

  • I heard from one of my sources that there will be another Mexican restaurant opening in Dumbo in the near future in addition to Chipotle.

  • I’m crossing my fingers that ya’ll aren’t messing with me on the Chiptole rumor… I think I just fainted

  • I’m crossing my fingers that ya’ll aren’t messing with me on the Chiptole rumor… I think I just fainted

  • I’d like to echo the thanks on the website, I don’t go but a day or two without checking in and I know first hand how much work goes into keeping a website current and interesting.
    Been living in DUMBO since August after moving back to NYC from Orange County. Love the area, parking isn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be although I don’t live in “prime” DUMBO, I’m north of the Manhattan Bridge. I’d love to see more restaurants but keep in mind folks, with good places comes more people, meaning less parking. It’s a circular isn’t it?

  • I’d like to echo the thanks on the website, I don’t go but a day or two without checking in and I know first hand how much work goes into keeping a website current and interesting.
    Been living in DUMBO since August after moving back to NYC from Orange County. Love the area, parking isn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be although I don’t live in “prime” DUMBO, I’m north of the Manhattan Bridge. I’d love to see more restaurants but keep in mind folks, with good places comes more people, meaning less parking. It’s a circular isn’t it?

  • DUMBO is slowly becoming Times Square.

  • DUMBO is slowly becoming Times Square.

  • Peter, DUMBO lost its edge many many years ago. Now its place for yuppies with dogs and strollers, which is perfectly fine by me since I am one of those yuppies with a dog and stroller.

  • Peter, DUMBO lost its edge many many years ago. Now its place for yuppies with dogs and strollers, which is perfectly fine by me since I am one of those yuppies with a dog and stroller.

  • Actually, to the people coming here from Manhattan neighborhoods like Tribeca and Soho, and to the tourists coming here from all around the world, DUMBO is very “edge” and very exciting. you’ve just been here a while and you have become a bit jaded. Relax, open your eyes and get that this place is very very cool- noisy, jangled, growing, everything NYC should be

  • Actually, to the people coming here from Manhattan neighborhoods like Tribeca and Soho, and to the tourists coming here from all around the world, DUMBO is very “edge” and very exciting. you’ve just been here a while and you have become a bit jaded. Relax, open your eyes and get that this place is very very cool- noisy, jangled, growing, everything NYC should be