Looks like the viral marketing group at thinkmodo have done it again. They’ve created a marketing campaign for a new movie, Chronicle that’s gone viral. Three human shaped RC planes were launched around Dumbo Brooklyn to make it look like real people were flying.

According to Techcrunch, Michael Krivicka from Thinkmodo explains “Since the three main characters of the movie have the ability to fly, we came up with the idea of staging a few “flying people” sightings around NYC. We achieved that illusion by having 3 custom-made aircraft (which were shaped like human beings) fly above designated areas in NYC and NJ.”

Thanks to the many people who have sent this video to us.

Occupy the Brooklyn Bridge

6PM: I’m sitting in my office working hard to meet a deadline. I was already distracted during the day writing for the occupy movement I support of freelancers who aren’t represented in the labor market, so I was working late. As I’m singing to myself, I begin to hear screaming at one moment, then cheering. At first I figured my partner’s music was just loud, but the cheering continued. I then thought it was coming from a boxing match down at Gleason’s gym right under me but, they are ususlly louder that the cheering I was hearing.

Chanting

7:30PM: The screaming and cheering turns to chanting. With so much time haing passed and the noise becoming organized I realized I wasn’t hearing things and ran to the window. Sure enough right outside on the Brooklyn Bridge hoards or people were marching chanting "Outrage Outrage Outrage!" They bore flags and held up their cellphones as lighters singing "Change when do we want it, Now!"

Bridge Takeover

As the earthquake that rocked us here in Dumbo over the summer I go on Twitter (the people’s news network) to verify the march on Brooklyn Bridge. #OccupyBrooklynBridge. It was offical! I tweeted "#NYC is a big place filled with parks we’ll find another spot to #occupy."

After trying to record from the office window I realized that it wasn’t enough; I can’t tell my children I stood in a building snapping images. As an artist it is my duty to be in the mix and as a citizien my duty to participate in democracy. I ran out the office with my iPhone ready to join the movement.

Welcome to Occupy Brooklyn Occupy Dumbo

As I made it up Washington Street to join the march, the police shouted at those who weren’t on the Bridge to get away, get back & stay off the block. It seemed like Dumbo wasn’t allowed to join from the bridge walk exit. But, that didn’t stop us. Dumbo gathered on the other side of the street still under the bridge, shouting "Welcome to Occupy Brooklyn FINALLY." "Occupy Dumbo!"

It was a sight to see. Helicopters flew as low as the tenth floors near the Dumbo, Washington Street apartment buildings. News 12 plotted their plan of attack for coverage on the Brooklyn side. A man shared the view with a friend via Skype. Urban sound stage’s camera man tried to keep his camera steady and children from Dumbo waved at marchers offering them a warm welcome. Dumbo’s citizens weren’t going anywhere and the police left us alone as were cheered and chanted "Occupy".

Occupy Spirit

Some might think that Dumbo is hardly a neighborhood that needs an occupy spirit but the reality is Dumbo does need it. We have it all, in Dumbo we have small businesses about to be evicted, large global businesses taking over floors but not hiring freelance and job applicants, we have the ghetto, working class, middle class and the F’n lap of luxury all in 5-7 blocks.

Dumbo is a picture frame of NYC. We see what the occupy movement is about every single day. It is great that occupy has visited our door steps. Are we going to unite in support, Dumbo?

Post written by Danii Oliver, Interactive designer and developer. CDO of DAMN Digital Studio, an Interactive Agency in Dumbo Brooklyn.

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The high resolution photo, courtesy of Shorpy, from 1903 of Brooklyn Bridge is full of rich detail. The view of Brooklyn from the Manhattan side shows the Brooklyn shore between Navy Yards to Brooklyn Heights. Above is a detailed portion of the photo of what’s now Dumbo. You’ll see some Gair Buildings (one on Washington Street that says “Robert Gair: If it’s made of paper we have it”), the 167 Sands Street building, which was completed in 1902, the Tobacco Warehouse, and the two and three story wood frame buildings where 1 Main Street now sits (built in 1916). Not pictured in the above detail, but is shown in the original photo is the Eagle Warehouse building, Old Fulton Street, and the original Fulton El Terminal (which was demolished, and now is Cadman Plaza) with trolleys crossing the bridge.

For the original full res photo, go to shorpy.com/Brooklyn_Bridge_1903?size=_original. What else do you recognize?

(via @joshderr)

{Dumbo Then and Now, series, DumboNYC}

Starting on October 1, the city is required to keep data on bicycle accidents. According to the latest data betweeen 1996 and 2005, there were 11 pedestrian deaths as a result of crashes with cyclists. From 1996 to 2003, there were 12,412 non-fatal accidents between bikers and pedestrians. “Pedestrian Traffic Managers” have been stationed on the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge until 7pm daily, hired by the city to keep bridge walkers safe (for $38/hr per the Brooklyn Independent Television clip above).

Will bicyclists and pedestrians on the Brooklyn Bridge and other East River crossings get along better?

(via BRIC Arts Media)

More than 3,000 participants are expected to gather in Foley Square and then walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to Cadman Plaza Park for a Volunteer Festival featuring live music, food, activities for children and youth, plus more than 60 nonprofit organizations from all five boroughs offering volunteer opportunities for New Yorkers of all ages today (Saturday, October 1, 2011).

The Volunteer Festival (at Cadman Plaza 11am-1pm) is open to the public and will feature live music from local bands; a family zone with stilt walkers, face painters, and arts and crafts; sports activities for youth and teens; interactive pavilions to learn about United Way’s work in education, income and health; and a chance to visit with more than 60 local nonprofit groups that are seeking volunteer assistance throughout the year.

Press release after the break:
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[UPDATE: Council Member Levin provided a statement on the proposed relocation of the Brooklyn Borough Property Clerk’s Office to 11 Front Street. Full text below after the jump.]

We’ve heard from a few sources that NYPD is planning to move the Brooklyn Property Clerk’s office, currently at 301 Gold Street, to the former Police Garage under the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo. CB2 was presented with the plan, as well as the DUMBO BID, and Council member Steve Levin has been working to block this move.

Although the move has not been formally announced, measurements have been taken inside the building for the new office. According to a retired officer, “If the office is moved here, it will bring all sorts down here to retrieve their belongings after release from jail.”

One tipster says: “Obviously, residents are concerned about this, and the placement directly across the street from the planned middle school seems especially unwise. The large numbers of tourists who walk around Fulton Ferry and Dumbo would also be potentially at risk.” We’re not sure if this will happen or if there’s a timetable for this move. What do you think? Will this bring some trouble to Dumbo?

Online information about what the NYPD Property Clerk Division does.

NYC.gov: NYPD Property Clerk
Photo by Josh Derr

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From the NYC Department of Transportation: Due to the effects of continuing winter storms on the Brooklyn Bridge roadways, special resurfacing work on the Brooklyn Bridge will continue through Sunday, February 13. Please refer to the brochures (1.5MB PDF) for up-to-date diagrams of all Brooklyn Bridge detour routes for both Brooklyn-bound and Manhattan-bound traffic.

Here’s the notification from DOT:
Due to the effects of continuing winter storms on the Brooklyn Bridge approach roadways, the New York City Department of Transportation, Division of Bridges, will begin an emergency resurfacing project in Brooklyn, with Manhattan to follow. The work includes milling of the existing pavement, pothole repair, new asphalt riding surfaces, and new pavement markings. This effort supplements the work currently underway for the rehabilitation of the Brooklyn Bridge ramps and approaches. This work will occur over the upcoming weekend, and will result in overnight and Saturday detours of Manhattan-bound traffic. From Wednesday February 9th until Saturday February 12th, work will resume on the normally Brooklyn-bound portion of the Brooklyn Bridge, in the areas shown in green.

This work will occur from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. overnight on Wednesday and Thursday, and from 12:01 a.m. until roughly 6 p.m. on Saturday. In the event of rain, work will continue on Sunday.

During this work, all Manhattan-bound traffic will be detoured to other crossings (the Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, or the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel (toll facility)). The Brooklyn-bound contraflow operation will be in effect, and all Brooklyn-bound traffic will travel on the north roadway. In two locations on the FDR Drive and the BQE, the closures will begin 30-60 min earlier to allow work crews to set up the contraflow operation. Please see attached brochure (1.5MB PDF) for up-to-date traffic change routes in both directions.

Questions regarding this project may be directed to Sabrina Lau, AICP, the Community Liaison, at 347-647-0876 or brooklynbridgeoutreach@gmail.com. For all NYC non-emergency services, including inquiries regarding NYCDOT construction projects, dial 311. Be prepared to give: your name, borough, the project number (BRC-270 C/P), and a return phone number.

(Photo by Jane Kratochvil)

As mentioned in the press, the Brooklyn Bridge is being rehabilitated and repainted (funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). Its ramps and approaches have been rated in poor condition. According to the Brooklyn Heights Association (as reported by the Brooklyn Heigths Blog), overnight closures of all three Manhattan-bound traffic lanes on the Brooklyn Bridge, started on Monday August 23rd.

Most of the construction will occur during overnight hours:

• On weekday nights: the closing hours are 11 pm – 6 am
• On Saturdays: from midnight to 7 am
• On Sundays: from 11 pm to 9 am.

During the daytime, single lane closures may occur in each direciton during off-peak hours. Other notes:

• The bridge will reopen to traffic in both directions each morning.
• All Manhattan-bound traffic will be detoured to the Manhattan Bridge or other crossings.
• All Brooklyn-bound traffic will be maintained, and there will be no closure of the pedestrian/cycling promenade.

completion is scheduled for 2014. Further details on the Department of Transportation notice (brooklyn_bridge_brochure.pdf) and on NY Daily News.

The temperature hit 102 degrees today, breaking the old record of 101 set in 1999 in NYC (ref. Gothamist). According to the AccuWeather “RealFeel,” it actually feels like 109. Just think of the above photo from February when you’re outside today. Brrrr… That photo was taken just over 4 months ago.

Anyone at the Jacques Torres ice cream store or at Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory today? How are the lines there?

Photo by @NYCphotos-flickr in the DumboNYC Flickr pool.