Back in September 28 2012, the Brooklyn Bridge Park issued a request for proposals to develop the Empire Stores building for the long-term lease, rehabilitation and operation of commercial and retail development in the historic structures (no condos). Submissions were due in December 2012, and 10 proposals were submitted. They were presented to the committee on March 19, 2013. Final selection to be decided this summer 2013.

The building is located within the Fulton Ferry Historic District and eligible for listing on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Empire Stores was closed by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in 2008 after OGS determined that existing building conditions made the building uninhabitable without significant renovations.

The RFP required respondents to submit conceptual plans that demonstrate thoughtful adaptive reuse of the structures, responsiveness to the site design guidelines and a level of design that is on par with the investment made on the part of the public sector.

The full presentation of responses are posted on BrooklynBridgePark.org website. The ten teams presented the following renderings:

(Team 1)

(Team 1)

(Team 2)

(Team 2)

(Team 3)

(Team 3)

(Team 4)

(Team 4)

(Team 5)

(Team 5)

(Team 6)

(Team 6)

(Team 7)

(Team 7)

(Team 8)

(Team 8)

(Team 9)

(Team 9)

(Team 10)

(Team 10)

Which one(s) are your favorite proposals?

Related:
{Brooklyn Bridge Park Issues a Request to Develop Empire Stores, 02Oct2012}
{Empire Stores on Endangered List, 05Dec2008}

Toll Brothers City Living and Starwood Capital Group launched their website pierhouseny.com. The residential and hotel complex (called 1 Hotel) is located on Furman Street at Pier 1 of Brooklyn Bridge Park. The development complex is expected to break ground this fall and be completed by summer 2015. Pierhouse anticipates sales to begin in the fall 2013.

Request for proposals by the Brooklyn Brige Park were sent in August 2011 and of the 7 teams who submitted, Rogers Marvel was selected as the winning design in June 2012. One of the fundamental principles of the park has always been that the maintenance and operation of the park would be funded from revenues generated from the site. The initial proposed project was to include 200 hotel rooms, 159 residential units, a 300-car underground parking garage, banquet hall space, a spa and fitness center, several restaurants and retail along Furman St. NY Post reported that the design was modified to avoid future flood damage that affected the park during Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. The condos will have 123 townhouse style units between 1-5 bedrooms. The apartments are stacked vertically and feature private terraces.

(Photos courtesy of Rogers Marvel)

Related:
{Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Newest Batch of Condos Revealed, 04June2013, Curbed}
{Teaser Site up for Brooklyn Bridge Park Condos, 05Jun2013, Brownstoner}
{Brooklyn Bridge Park Approves Pier 1 Hotel and Residential Development, 21June2012}
{Jehovah’s Witness Buildings Could Offset Brooklyn Bridge Park Costs, 08Oct2010}

Back in December 2012, the Brooklyn Bridge Park issued a request for proposals to develop the 1 John Street building, the section of John Street between Adams and Pearl Street of the park for residential development. Con Edison sold the 3.4 acres between John Street and the East River that it has owend for half a century in January 2013. Con Edison says its total investment in the property over the years is about $600,000, but the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation has agreed to pay $9.2 million for it. Revenue from a 96-year lease on the land under the building would help pay for the purchase.

Curbed reported that there are 11 condo designs that were presented with “the stated goals of the project to “enliven the northern entrance of the park,” build “high-quality, visually appealing residential development,” and “seamlessly integrate the park and the surrounding community.” The site allows for a maximum height of 130 feet, up to 130 residential units (101,000 sq ft of residential space), ground floor retail, and up to 110 parking spaces. The winning respondents will be selected this summer. (Side note: One of the bidders plans to use crowdfunding to get the community involved in investing up to $1 million in the retail component of the development.)

Which one should the park choose?

(Team 1)

(Team 2)

(Team 3)

(Team 4)

(Team 5)

(Team 6)

(Team 7)

(Team 8)

(Team 9)

(Team 10)

(Team 11)

For full RFP presentation, go to Project Approvals and Presentations, BrooklynBridgePark.org

At the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation (BBPC), presented the Main Street park’s final design (pdf). Brooklyn Bridge Park (BBP) is proposing 37,617 square feet (0.863 acres) of land be redesigned in the Main Street section of the park at the end of Washington Street.

The CB2 Board next step – make a decision to recommend the design to the Public Design Commission. What do you think?

 [+]
(Existing site at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Main Street)

 [+]
(Rendering of proposed design for entrance to Brooklyn Bridge Park from Plymouth Street courtesy Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.)

 [+]
(Existing site at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Adams/John St entry)

 [+]
(Rendering of proposed design for entrance to Brooklyn Bridge Park from Adams Street courtesy Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.)

 [+]
(Rendering of proposed design for Brooklyn Bridge Park courtesy Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.)

Previously:
{Main Street Conversion Site Plan to be Presented,16May2013}

 [+]
(Existing site at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Main Street)

 [+]
(preliminary design of Main Street Conversion Site, October 15, 2012)

Brooklyn Bridge Park (BBP) is proposing 37,617 square feet (0.863 acres) of land in the Main Street section of the park at the end of Washington Street a final design for the site. The section of the park is currently used for non-park municipal purposes, the parcels that house an indoor facility that was used by NYC Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) as a water meter testing site, the streetbed of Washington Street, which is currently used as a parking lot for the NYCDEP facility, and a New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) paint shed.

Once developed, these replacement parcels would be integrated into the Main Street section of Brooklyn Bridge Park, which has already been developed as a waterfront park space with beach access.

Leigh Trucks, senior project manager for the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation (BBPC), will present the park’s final design for the Main Street Conversion Site. The presentation is made for CB2 recommendation to the Public Design Commission.

• The presentation of the preliminary design made at the October 15, 2012 parks committee meeting: PDF file (6mb file)
• A summary of the proposed use of replacement parcels is on the BBPC site (PDF file).

CB2 Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting
Monday, May 20 2013, 6pm
Dining Rooms A&B, Brooklyn Hospital, 121 DeKalb Avenue at St. Felix Street, in Fort Greene

More info on the Main Street Conversion Site.

Some 25,000 runners—the most in the event’s history—will race in the 33rd annual Brooklyn Half on Saturday, May 18, 2013. The race takes runners on 13.1-mile journey through the heart of the country’s fourth largest city, traveling from the rolling hills of Prospect Park through Grand Army Plaza, and a myriad of historical communities to a one-of-a-kind finish on the world-famous Coney Island boardwalk.

From the folks at the Brooklyn Half Marathon, there is a 3 day pre-party in Fulton Ferry Landing and Dumbo starting today:

You’re not in Manhattan anymore, and this isn’t just a number pickup. You’re running in Brooklyn now, baby—and this is Dumbo, where we’re throwing a three-day bash to get runners ready for the all-new, bigger, better Brooklyn Half.

The Pre-Party is a festival of music, food, and shopping—including great running gear from New Balance. It’s a quick and easy trip, and you’ll find out why so many people are crossing the East River.

Getting There
Come on over to the Old Tobacco Warehouse, right on Brooklyn’s East River waterfront at 26 New Dock Street. It’s a real 19th-century warehouse in Brooklyn Bridge Park, right under the bridge. The nearby High Street subway station is one stop from Manhattan on the A/C line; you can also take the 2/3 to Clark Street or the F to York Street and walk a few blocks. Or take the East River Ferry from East 34th Street, Long Island City, Greenpoint, Williamsburg, or Wall Street for $4 each way. Another option is to walk or bike over the Brooklyn Bridge to Cadman Plaza and then three more blocks down Fulton Landing or Washington Street to the waterfront.

What’s Going On?
How about live music, Brooklyn house DJs, an outdoor beer garden, great eats from local vendors and food trucks, an espresso bar, official Brooklyn Half merchandise, New Balance shoes, and Team for Kids Taper Runs? Throw in running-form analysis, the New Balance insta-grapher, and maybe a genuine Italian ice, and you get the idea: This isn’t just another pre-race expo—this is a Pre-Party. (You do get to pick up your race number (with B-tag) and your New Balance technical participant shirt.)
Think about it: You’re going to run 13.1 miles through some of the most colorful neighborhoods on earth. Your finish line is at Coney Island. We can’t have you getting bored before the start!

Dates and Times*
Wednesday, May 15 12:00 noon–9:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 16 12:00 noon–9:00 p.m.
Friday, May 17 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
*Last entry into bib pickup: 9:00 p.m. / Last call for beer and food: 9:30 p.m.

Head to the grotto for beer provided by:
Brooklyn Brewery
Sixpoint

Taste local fare from food vendors and more:
McClure’s Pickles
Takumi Taco
Chickpea & Olive (Wednesday/Thursday only)
Omilk (Friday only)
One Girl Cookies
Pipsnacks

And check out the food trucks lining the warehouse:
La Bella Torte (Wednesday/Thursday only)
Andy’s Italian Ice
Trusty’s Burgers & Bites
Shorty’s
Hibachi Heaven (Wednesday/Thursday night and Friday all day)
Munchie Mobile (Thursday night only)

(Photo by lmichalos)

The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy announced the Movies With A View lineup for the 14th year. This will be Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s sixth year partnering with Syfy to present Syfy Movies With A View. The free, outdoor film series will take place on Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park and will feature films from different cities around the globe.

The first film in the park kicks off on Thursday, July 11, 2013 and runs weekly through Thursday, August 29, 2013. The audience will be taken on a journey each week with feature films that take place in cities such as Chicago (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), Hong Kong (Enter the Dragon), London (Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory), Rome (Roman Holiday), Detroit (8 Mile), Philadelphia (Rocky), San Francisco (Vertigo), and a location that the public will choose later in the summer.

In line with the “With Love From…” theme, DJs from Brooklyn Radio will feature pre-movie music from the films’ locations. BAMcinématek will continue to curate short films to be shown before the feature each week.

The Conservancy is also excited to welcome back community partners Astronomers Association of New York, who will be on hand to help stargazers scan the skies with telescopes provided by Syfy, and Transportation Alternatives, who provide free bike valet parking. Also highlighting the series are returning media sponsors Time Out New York and Brownstoner. DUMBO-based publication, Gothamist, will be joining the team as a media sponsor for the first time.

Music starts at 6:00 pm, and the films begin at sundown. Park concessionaires Blue Marble Ice Cream, Luke’s Lobster, No. 7 Subs, Lizzmonade Brooklyn, and the Brooklyn Bridge Wine Bar will be offering food and drink for purchase.

FREE! On the Harbor View Lawn of Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. (directions)

See www.brooklynbridgepark.org for full press release and more information.

Note: capacity is limited and lawn seating is first come, first served.

Full movie lineup after the jump:
Read the rest of this entry »

Community Board 2 (CB2) will hold the following three committee meetings next week, all of which are scheduled for 6:00 pm. All committee meetings of Community Board 2 begin with the approval of the agenda and introduction of the committee officers. The meetings conclude with the approval of the previous month’s meeting minutes, a chairperson’s report, other business and a community forum during which the public may speak.

1) Parks and Recreation Committee (Monday, April 15, 2013; Dining Rooms A&B, Brooklyn Hospital, 121 DeKalb Avenue at St. Felix Street, in Fort Greene)

Frankie Rowland, marketing director for Down to Earth, an operator of farmers markets, will present its proposal for a market on the upland of Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

The parks committee has also been invited to participate in a discussion about the design for a theater proposed to be operated by St. Ann’s Warehouse in the Tobacco Warehouse, in Brooklyn Bridge Park. That discussion will take place at the Land Use Committee meeting on Wednesday (see below).

2) Transportation and Public Committee (Tuesday, April 16, 2013; First Floor Board Room, St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street (between Clinton and Court streets), in Brooklyn Heights)

Christopher Hrones, the DOT Downtown Brooklyn transportation coordinator, and Preston Johnson, a project manager with the agency’s bike program, will present “Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridge Bike Lane Approach Improvements” (see above).

3) Land Use Committee (Wednesday, April 17, 2013; Room LC400, Dibner Building, Polytechnic Institute, 5 MetroTech Center (off of the MetroTech Commons), in Downtown Brooklyn)

The meeting will begin with an evaluation, to be conducted jointly with the community board’s parks committee, of the design for a theater proposed to be operated by St. Ann’s Warehouse in the Tobacco Warehouse, in Brooklyn Bridge Park. A recommendation to the Public Design Commission may result from the committee review.

For more information, see http://mad.ly/59f7a3 and Community Board 2 website.

Smorgasburg happens every Sunday in Brooklyn Bridge Park on the Dumbo waterfront at the historic Tobacco Warehouse, featuring packaged and prepared foods, purveyors from New York City and across the region, and other food-related vendors (kitchen utensils, housewares, etc.), for a total of 75-80 vendors.

Smorgasburg Dumbo
at Tobacco Warehouse in Brooklyn Bridge Park (30 Water Street, Brooklyn NY 11201)
Every Sundays 11am-6pm, Starting April 7 through November 24, 2013

(Corner of Water Street and Dock Street, Brooklyn NY 11201 Google Map)

Subway
A/C to High St.
F to York St.
2/3 to Clark St.

Bus
B25 to Water + New Dock St.

Car
From I-278/BQE East, take Exit 28A to Cadman Plaza.
From I-278/BQE West, take Exit 28 to Cadman Plaza.
For GPS, use 30 Water St., Brooklyn, NY 11201

(Photo by Ross Reyes)

Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Main Street Playground (aka pirate ship playground) will reopen on Saturday, April 6, 2013. Hurricane Sandy brought damaging floodwaters to the park’s surface and closed over the winter. Park officials have been replacing the surface with a more colorful and durable material. Come celebrate the re-opening on Saturday, April 6 at 11 am with light refreshments and the Dumbo Kite Flying Society. Please RSVP at malynch@bbpnyc.org.