07/10/13 12:22pm

Plymouth Street

The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) have constructed full scale granite cobble mock-ups to demonstrate roadway reconstruction techniques for the Dumbo/Vinegar Hill street reconstruction for Water Street, Pearl Street, Plymouth Street, Main Street, and Adams Street. According to the Dumbo BID, work will take place on streets as indicated in the map below (Yellow = DOT scope / full street and plaza reconstruction; Blue = DEP scope / water and sewer reconstruction):


 [+]

The granite cobble mock-ups will demonstrate how a mix of new and original cobblestone could be used to rebuild the streets, which, along with the centuries-old sewer and water lines below, are slated for reconstruction beginning next year. The test streets will be on view to the public, and DOT will be on hand to take feedback on the design and stones. The public is encouraged to comment on the design and materials – as several options for reuse of old and introduction of new materials will be presented. Comments will be taken on site and can also be emailed to plazas@dot.nyc.gov. The Dumbo BID writes, “These comments will be incorporated into a design package that will then be presented to Community Board 2 on July 22 for project approval. The design will also need approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission this fall.”

The viewing schedule for the rest of the week is as follows at Pier 6 of Brooklyn Bridge Park (along Furman Street near Atlantic Avenue):

  • Wednesday, July 10 – 12-2PM
  • Thursday, July 11 – 8-11AM
  • Friday, July 12 – 9-11AM
  • Saturday, July 13 – 9AM-12PM

Some oppose the use of mass produced cobblestones or a bike lane such as the one on Washington Street in Dumbo.

So we asked the DOT for some further background on the proposed stones. The DOT Commissioner Sadik-Khan wrote to us to clear up some confusion about bike lanes: “This community requested project will restore the street’s historical elegance while removing stumbling blocks for the thousands of people walking and biking in the neighborhood daily.” They continue to receive feedback from the community as the design demonstration period continues, but the presence of a bike lane has not been identified as an issue.

We asked about feedback about installing a bike lane on Water Street. She said that “some blogs have written, inaccurately, that cobblestones on Water Street will be removed to install a bike path. This is false. This is a total street reconstruction project and the cobblestones are being restored as part of the capital upgrade, regardless of the street’s designation as a Greenway. The section of Water Street in the project area hasn’t been significantly upgraded in more than a century and utilities for the growing number of residences and businesses in the area are overdue for reconstruction. Half of the cobblestones in the project are currently covered by asphalt just to make the street navigable.”

“As with many other roadway reconstructions across the city, this project also brings an opportunity to improve roadway design to make streets even safer and easier to navigate for all street users and meet ADA requirements—such as installing smooth, walkable crosswalks. A similar, complete street reconstruction on Washington Street and another section of Water Street started more than three years ago [ref: 10May2010 and 03Dec2009], replacing sewers and water mains while upgrading underground utilities and sidewalks, and the materials demonstration was developed specifically to address community feedback on these redesigns. DOT continues to work with the community board on the project (we held two workshops in just the last year) and we look forward to continuing our efforts with the board.”

Take a look at the mockup at Pier 6 and send your comments. What do you think?

(Photo by j_segura)

07/08/13 2:39pm

Prospect Street

(55 Prospect Street on the near left, 117 Adams Street on the near right, 81 Prospect Street on the far left, 77 Sands Street on the far right)

Real estate investment firm RFR and Kushner Companies today announced that they have entered into a contract to acquire six properties in Brooklyn from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society for $375 million. According to the press release (July 8, 2013), Jared Kushner (of Kushner Companies), Aby Rosen (of RFR), and Asher Abehsera (a former Two Trees Management Company executive) teamed up to purchase the portfolio of buildings which total 1.2 million square feet of commercial space. The buildings include:

  • 117 Adams Street
  • 175 Pearl Street
  • 55 Prospect Street
  • 81 Prospect Street
  • 77 Sands Street
  • 90 Sands Street

These buildings are included as part of the Brooklyn Tech Triangle master plan and could be key buildings in the development of the plan for creating appropriate commercial space and connectors between Dumbo, Navy Yards, and Downtown Brooklyn.

90 Sands Street is a 30 story, 500+ room residential building will be turned over vacant at closing in September, according to a NY Post story.

According to the Post, the Jehovah’s Witnesses moved their headquarters to Brooklyn in 1909. As part of their plans to move to Warwick, NY, they have been selling off a 34-building portfolio, including lots in Dumbo at 173 and 177 Front Street as well as 200 Water Street in April 2013.

175 Pearl Street

(175 Pearl Street)

Full moon over 90 sands
(90 Sands Street, Photo by a.pitch)

Related:
{The Watchtower Moving Some Operations from Brooklyn, 26Mar2009}
{Watchtower Properties in Dumbo?, 29Sept2011}
{Jehovah’s Witness Buildings Could Offset Brooklyn Bridge Park Costs, 08Oct2010}

04/18/13 9:50am

Filming in Dumbo: Ironside

Ironside, an NBC TV drama is being filmed in Dumbo Brooklyn today, April 18, 2013. According to IMDB, Ironside “centers on Robert T. Ironside, a tough, sexy and acerbic police detective relegated to a wheelchair after a shooting who is hardly limited by his disability as he pushes and prods his hand-picked team to solve the most difficult cases.” The cast includes actors Brent Sexton, Spencer Grammer, Blair Underwood, Pablo Schreiber, and Kenneth Choi.

Ironside was previously filmed in Dumbo on April 2 and 5.

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

04/02/13 10:09am

Filming in Dumbo: Ironside (April 2, 2013)

Filming in Dumbo: Ironside (April 5, 2013)

Ironside, an NBC TV drama is being filmed in Dumbo Brooklyn on April 2 and 5, 2013. According to IMDB, Ironside “centers on Robert T. Ironside, a tough, sexy and acerbic police detective relegated to a wheelchair after a shooting who is hardly limited by his disability as he pushes and prods his hand-picked team to solve the most difficult cases.” The cast includes actors Brent Sexton, Spencer Grammer, Blair Underwood, Pablo Schreiber, and Kenneth Choi.

Filming will occur on the followign streets:

  • Both sides of Adams Street between John and Front St.
  • Both sides of Pearl Street between John and Water St.
  • Both sides of Plymouth Street between Adams and Jay St.
  • South side of Water Street between Washington and Adams St.
  • Both sides of Front Street between Washington and Jay St.

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

03/26/13 11:10am

 

The following two condos are new to the Dumbo Brooklyn market for the week of March 17-25, 2013:

  • 03/19/2013: 85 Adams Street #19C (Corcoran), $999,000 ($857/sf), $987/mo cc, $30/mo tax (421a abatement expires in 2023), 1,165sf, 2 bed, 2 bath
  • 03/21/2013: [UPDATE 3/28/2013: Contract signed] 1 Main Street #11D (Sotheby’s), $3,200,000 ($1290/sf), $1495/mo cc, $965/mo tax (J-51 abatement expires in 2013), 2479sf, 3 bed, 2.5 bath

85 Adams Street #19C:
This condo was previously listed for $995k in February 2012, lowered bo $949 a month later, and removed from the market in July. Great views of Manhattan from this 19th story condo. Active listings for this building average $851/sqft.

1 Main Street #11D:
According to public records, this condo unit sold in January 2007 for $2,450,000. (In 2005, sold for $1,9150,000.) This condo is a rare 3 bedroom unit (for Dumbo) with full bathrooms for two bedrooms. Direct views of the East River and Manhattan.

See all ‘new to market’ posts

01/29/13 1:50pm

 

The following four condos are new to the Dumbo Brooklyn market for the week of January 20 – 28, 2013:

  • 01/23/2013: 100 Jay Street #6J (Corcoran), $475,000 ($816/sf), $350/mo cc, $10/mo tax (J-51 Abatement expires in 2023), 582sf, 1 bed, 1 bath
  • 01/23/2013: 85 Adams Street #6B (Corcoran), $719,000 ($848/sf), $718/mo cc, $23/mo tax (J-51 Abatement expires in 2023), 847sf, 2 bed, 1 bath
  • 01/23/2013: 100 Jay Street #28A (Sotheby’s), $2,100,000 ($1,227/sf), $1,184/mo cc, (J-51 Abatement expires in 2023), 1,711sf, 3 beds, 2.5 baths
  • 01/24/2013: 79 Bridge Street #4I (Rutenberg Realty), $775,000 ($824/sf), $439/mo cc, $1/mo tax (J-51 Abatement expires in 2014), 940sf, 1 bed, 1 bath


(100 Jay Street #6J)

100 Jay Street has 6 active listings averaging $1,050 per square feet, and has 300 recorded sales at $861 per square feet. This “junior one bedroom” is one of the most affordable units in Dumbo. This will probably sell within a month, according one broker we spoke to.


(85 Adams Street #6B)

This condo has two bedrooms with 10 foot ceilings and asking $719k. It was last sold in August 2010 for $635k according to city records. Per listing: “This spacious home displays a gracious living room plus a smartly designed 2nd BR/guest room, facing south both the main living and master bedroom get a vast amount of light.”


(100 Jay Street #28A)

The best feature of this spacious condo is the view overlooking lower Manhattan and the two bridges. This is a legal 3 bedroom currently used as a 2 bedroom apartment. But that view!


(79 Bridge Street #4I)

“This loft is graced with beautiful white oak hardwood floors throughout, oversized double pane windows and original brick walls.” Condo board approval required.

See all ‘new to market’ posts