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04/23/09 11:42am

Celebrate Earth Day in Dumbo

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(Photo from storefrontnews.org)

From Dumbo Improvement District:

Please join the Dumbo Improvement District and Studio-X, Storefront for Art and Architecture, Raumlabor & Inhabitat tomorrow for

a real-time, ecologically based competition based on “Iron Chef” and held within Spacebuster by Raumlabor.

Spacebuster is a mobile inflatable structure – a portable, expandable pavilion – that is designed to transform public spaces of all kinds into points for community gathering.

The pavilion is comprised of an inflatable bubble-like dome that emerges from a step van that also houses the compressor that keeps the Spacebuster inflated. The dome expands and organically adjusts to its surroundings, be it in a field, a wooded park, or below a highway overpass. The material is a translucent plastic that allows the events taking place inside of the shelter – screenings, lectures, dinners or discussions – to be entirely visible from the outside. Likewise the exterior environments become the events’ backdrops.

IRON DESIGNER Features Teams of Third-Year M.Arch students from:

  • Columbia University GSAPP
  • Parsons The New School for Design
  • City College of New York
  • Pratt Institute

Thursday, April 23rd @ 7PM
Meet at the Pearl Street Triangle in DUMBO, Brooklyn
The winning team will be featured on Inhabitat.com

Sponsored by Studio-X/Columbia University GSAPP, Storefront for Art and Architecture, Raumlabor, Dumbo Improvement District and Inhabitat.

Related:
{Manhattan Bridge Arch Now Open Permanently, 20Apr2009}
{Bubblicious Spacebuster to Take On High Line, Dumbo, 20Apr2009, Curbed}

Anchorage Place
04/20/09 3:19pm

Manhattan Bridge Arch Now Open Permanently

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Manhattan Bridge arch

Following the Manhattan Bridge Archway’s (The Archway) “soft opening” in September 2008, the gates were temporarily closed again so that construction on the space could be completed. Yesterday, the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Dumbo Improvement District permanently removed the gates to The Archway, allowing pedestrians to walk through.

The asphalt was removed to reveal the original Belgian blocks, and more work will be done soon to install benches and lighting. Per Dumbo Improvement District, who manages maintenance and programming for The Archway, plans are in the works to have events and programs throughout the year. First up is Earth Day programming on Thursday, April 23rd, and the Dumbo Parent Organization will hold the Epic DUMBO Stoop Sale on Saturday, May 2nd.

The 7,000 square foot archway is a grand space for events, art exhibitions, and open markets. We’re looking forward to it. Thanks to the Dumbo Improvement District, who coordinated funding and in-kind contributions from private partners, Two Trees Management Co., Pearl Realty Management, Rogers Marvel Architects PLLC and Ettinger Engineering Associates, and worked with DOT and the City of New York to make this happen.

Manhattan Bridge arch

Previously:
{Manhattan Bridge Archway Opens in Dumbo, 08Sept2009}
{The Archway, Dumbo Improvement District}

Anchorage Place
09/08/08 12:28pm

Manhattan Bridge Archway Opens in Dumbo

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Manhattan Bridge Archway opening

Manhattan Bridge Archway

Manhattan Bridge Archway

The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Dumbo Improvement District held a press conference this morning to announce the opening of the Manhattan Bridge Archway in Dumbo, a joint project of both groups with Rogers Marvel Architects and Jim Conti Lighting Design. Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Borough President Marty Markowitz, and DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, among others attended.

The opening of the archway is one of the initiatives of the Dumbo Improvement District and will be opened in two stages. The public space has been closed for 17 years and previously occupied by DOT’s Division of Bridges for the cutting and storage of metal needed for bridge projects. Today marked the “soft opening” at which point the Improvement District will keep the Archway open to the public as a pedestrian thoroughfare and plaza, locking the gates at night. The archway will be further beautified with lighting, benches, and to remove the asphalt to reveal the Belgian blocks and will be open 24 hours upon completion to coincide with the Manhattan Bridge’s 100th birthday in 2009. This fall, the Dumbo Improvement District will continue to fundraise, to support the longer-term restoration of the archway, maintenance, and programming costs. The Dumbo Improvement District’s annual fundraiser, Dumbo Fight Night 2008, will be held on October 2, 2008. As Marty Markowitz stated in his speech, he envisions events with tables, benches, and exhibitions in the 8,000 square foot archway once the restoration is fully completed.

Manhattan Bridge Archway


 Rogers Marvel’s rendering of the completed Archway

Anchorage Place
08/24/07 9:59am

New Street Parking Spots in Dumbo

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It’s obvious that parking is a touchy issue in NYC, with deeded parking spots going for $225,000 in Manhattan. Dumbo’s spots aren’t quite that high, yet, but in this small neighborhood, a change in parking signs and regulations bring out angry reactions in some. The Dept of Transportation has updated signs overnight, and the repurposing of the Pearl Street Triangle from a parking triangle to a pedestrian park started heated discussions in earlier posts about Pearl St. Triangle beginning work and its progress.

The dozen or so spaces lost to the Pearl Street Triangle have been reclaimed with a few changes in parking regulations in three areas:

  1. Pearl Street (Between Plymouth and Water Street) is now a “No Parking Fridays 8-9:30am” area.
  2. Pearl Street (Between Front and York Street) is now a “No Parking Fridays 8-9:30am” area.
  3. Anchorage Pl (against the Pearl Street Triangle) is now a “2 Hour Parking 9am-7pm except Sun” area.

Below is a rough Google Map that shows their approximate locations (in red). I’ll also try update the map with street regulations. Please check back on the Location page for parking updates with the below GMap.

Parking Restrictions in Dumbo
(Note: The street regulations are regularly updated by the Department of Transportation. Therefore, there is no guarantee that the below map is accurate. It is intended as a general guide. Please check street signs.)

{GMaps View Larger Map}

Anchorage Place
06/28/07 11:59am

Pearl Street Triangle Moving Quickly

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The Dumbo Improvement District has pushed the DOT to move quickly on the Pearl Street Triangle and even worked on the plaza with their own staff. On Tuesday, the Dumbo BID staff painted the plaza area grey, and by this morning, some planters have been put in place. There’s some discussion from Monday’s post about Pearl Street Triangle on whether or not the street furniture will encourage homeless people to linger around. While no one wants to see someone else homeless, we can’t just push them out to another neighborhood. Out of sight, out of mind is not a way to help others in need. As one commenter stated, “Homeless people need SERVICES, not to degrade themselves by begging for spare change.”

The Dumbo BID plans an “adopt-a-street-fixture” program to allow business and residents to dedicate furniture to public spaces. Community-based public art is also in the works for the Pearl Street Triangle. Work on the initial phase of the triangle is scheduled to be completed in early July.


 Pearl Street Triangle, 26Jun2007


 Pearl Street Triangle, 28Jun2007


 Pearl Street Triangle, 28Jun2007


 Sidewalk reconstruction is a parallel improvement by the property owner Josh Guttman, separate from the work with the DOT along Pearl Street, 28Jun2007

{Pearl Street Triangle Plaza Begins Work, 25June2007, DumboNYC}

Anchorage Place
06/25/07 9:17am

Pearl Street Triangle Plaza Begins Work

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[UPDATE: More Pearl Street Triangle updates.]

Starting today, the Pearl Street Triangle will be closed to begin work on the pedestrian plaza. Water Street between Pearl Street and Anchorage Place will be closed to traffic. Cars parked in the triangle (between Anchorage Place and Pearl Street) will be towed and the dozen or so spaces will be gone for good. The initial planters and furniture will be installed while the pavement is being put in place to accommodate the area. This project is one of the previously announced initiatives by the Dumbo Improvement District. The NYCDOT will revise parking regulations in the immediate surrounding area to provide some additional parking spaces.

Previously:
{Pearl Street Triangle Survey, 28Mar2007, DumboNYC}
{Pearl Street Triangle Planning Session Tomorrow, 21Mar2007, DumboNYC}

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