11/07/15 2:00pm

Note: We’ve been looking back thru the DumboNYC archive and unearthing some gems. We’ll republish from time to time. Enjoy!

This post was originally published July 23, 2007.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted “Dumbo Streetscapes Then and Now” photos. Here, we are looking north down Jay Street (towards Manhattan) from Front Street. Step outside to the right out of the York Street Station on the F train and this is the view you see. In the first photo, the 68 Jay Street building is front and center with a sliver of 20 Jay Street behind it and a faint view of the Empire State Building across the river. This 70 year photo (1937), by photographer, Percy Loomis Sperr, show the water towers on the 68 Jay Street building (currently removed, except for the base). On the right side of the photo, there are buildings which no longer exist. The Jehovah’s Witness lot (85 Jay Street) currently occupies a parking lot there. On the back of the photo:

Jay Street, west side, north from a point south of Front Street, to the East River. In order, are the buildings occupied by the Grant Union Tea Co.; the John Maury Paint Co.; and the Arbuckle Bros. Coffee Co. In the background towering over Manhattan, is the Empire State Building. (March 9, 1937)

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1937

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July 21, 2007

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06/12/15 3:40pm

DUMBO is one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in Brooklyn and has a little something for everyone. We’ve selected some of the best business in DUMBO to get you started. Once you’ve checked these off your list,  come back to read about some of other top picks to visit after you walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Have fun and enjoy the neighborhood!

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For those famous Manhattan skyline views, head straight to the waterfront. The newly developed Brooklyn Bridge Park offers green space with spectacular views. The park is still under construction, but it’s already a favorite for locals and visitors alike. Brooklyn Bridge Park’s amenities include a boathouse, Jane’s Carousel, athletic fields, volleyball courts, playgrounds, and dog runs.

 

river-cafe-dumbo-brooklyn The amazing views from River Cafe | via Facebook

River Cafe
The waterfront restaurant opened in Dumbo in the 70s, long before the neighborhood experienced its renaissance. It quickly became a destination for its romantic setting and phenomenal views of the Lower Manhattan skyline. Its menu is eclectic, with American and international dishes that highlight fresh ingredients. The restaurant is upscale and expensive, but a perfect pick for a special occasion.

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02/19/15 3:26pm

The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) presented a plan to the Brooklyn Community Board 2 Transportation Committee on January 20, 2015 that proposes several updates to streets in Dumbo on 5 key street corners and sidewalk areas. As a result of a community walk-through organized by the Dumbo BID, DOT has developed this proposal to calm traffic, improve pedestrian safety, and improve pedestrian and bicycle access in the Dumbo neighborhood. The proposal fills gaps in the pedestrian network with new sidewalks and pedestrian spaces at underutilized roadbed locations, and accessible crossings. A two-way bicycle facility is also proposed on Jay Street.

The Community Board 2 Transportation Committee unanimously (with one abstention, 11-0-1) recommended that Community Board 2 support pedestrian safety improvements proposed by the DOT two weeks ago.

Streetsblog NYC reported that the DUMBO Improvement District director of marketing and events Kristin LaBuz attended the meeting, where the plan advanced to the full board in an 11-0 vote. “Though there is still much work to be done in the neighborhood,” she said, “we’re thrilled by DOT’s responsiveness to community concerns.”

The five areas for improvement are as follows:

  1. York St and Washington St: build concrete sidewalk extension, mark parking lanes and bike route, and potentially add parking to the south curb.

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  2. Pearl St and Front St: build concrete neckdown and granite paver crosswalk

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  3. Pearl St and York St: build large concrete triangle island and painted pedestrian space, with two granite paver crosswalks

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  4. Jay St and Prospect St: build large curb extension on NE corner and neckdowns on NW and SE corners, mark crosswalk on the north leg. Potentially add parking along new concrete.

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  5. Jay St Corridor: mark contraflow bicycle lane between Prospect St and York St, mark two way shared lane between York St and John St.

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In addition to the added safety for pedestrians and cyclists, the proposal adds approximately 15 parking spaces. DOT plans to begin construction on the project in August 2015.

DOT’s presentation to the Brooklyn Community Board 2 Transportation Committee (PDF)

07/16/13 12:44pm

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(Photo by Lauren Davis)

Historic Brooklyn Neighborhood Dumbo is charmed with cobblestone roads that make bicycling through this delightful neighborhood a Paris- Roubaix race. However, when riding in style it’s best to keep to a safe route that will make your ride through this whimsical neighborhood a delight. We’ve put together a few tips to help you ride these Belgian Blocks and through any rough terrain wherever you are. (more…)

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):


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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)