Dumbo NYC

Photo courtesy of Bax pix.

East River waterfall from Brooklyn

Model shoot in Dumbo with the East River waterfall

Olafur Eliasson’s Waterfalls project started this morning at 7am. Seems like every NYC news channel and blogs are covering this. From what we’ve seen, there is an increase in number of foot traffic in the area. As we previously mentioned, the installation will create at least $55 million in extra tourism revenue for the city and a lot more people coming over the Brooklyn Bridge to check out the falls.

Also open now is the Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 1. Pier 1 offers a cafe run by Dumbo’s RICE along with picnic tables, benches, landscaping with trees and grass, and a sand play area. Pier 1 will be open June 26 - Labor Day, seven days a week, from 10:00am - 10:00pm and located on the East River at the base of Old Fulton Street and Furman Street.

The rendering from a Daily News article shows what the Brooklyn Bridge Park will eventually look like:

The waterfalls will operate from 7am to 10pm every day until October 13th, except on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when they’ll be turned on at 9am. Check out some initial photos from rsguskind of The Gowanus Lounge. (Above image from rsguskind).

{Pop-Up Park Pops in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brownstoner}
{The Waterfalls Start Falling, Brownstoner}
{The Waterfalls are Here!, Gothamist}
{Where To See The Waterfalls, Gothamist}
{The Freakin’ Waterfalls Are On: The Press Conference, Curbed}
{The Freakin’ Waterfalls Are On: Brooklyn Bridge Edition, Curbed}
{And, Now, the Brooklyn Bridge Waterfall, Gowanus Lounge}

With summer’s arrival, it’s time to get in shape. Ariane Hundt, the founder of the Brooklyn Bridge Bootcamp reminded us that she will be holding the Boot Camp Workouts across the Brooklyn Bridge to get you in shape for the season:

This new Boot Camp Workout takes participants across the Brooklyn Bridge with intermittent stops at the towers to perform highly effective toning and strengthening exercises. This program was designed by Personal Trainer Ariane Hundt who utilizes only the most effective techniques to bring about a lean and sculpted body while promoting ultra calorie burning.

Workouts take place:
Mondays & Wednesdays 6.30 - 7.30am
Saturdays 8am and 9am

Fees: $15 for first-timers, discount packages available
For more information and to sign up: BrooklynBridgeBootCamp.com

Below is a video of the Two Trees presentation for the PS 8 parents given last Wednesday to explain more about the proposed project. Jed Walentas discussed the proposed plan and highlights the following:

• The site is on the corner of Dock and Water Streets and occupies 45,000 square feet, consisting of three buildings, a 17 story building set back from Dock, an 8 story building facing Water and running 65 feet down Dock, and a 2 story building along with rest of Dock.
• 3 levels of below grade parking to accommodate 450 parking spaces with the entrance facing Front Street. This replaces 200 parking spots currently on the site.
• The plan calls for 400 rental units, 80 of which will be affordable.
• 10,000 square feet of retail along Water Street
• a 45,000 square foot middle school on one floor with a separate entrance on Dock Street for 300 students. Two Trees is effectively donating the space to the Department of Education with a 99 year lease.

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Previously:
{Two Trees to Present Plans To Address Lack of School in Dumbo, 28May2008}
{Joint Statement by BHA, DNA, FFL, on Dock St Dumbo Building, 01OCt2007}
{Dock Street Dumbo Building Opposed by Yassky, 06Aug2007}
{Dock Street Dumbo Plans Revealed, 27Jun2007}

In memory of those who gave their lives for our nation

 (Photo courtesy of Perry Oki - perryoki.com)

 (Photo courtesy of Montag007)

The Brooklyn Bridge’s 125th birthday celebration on Thursday included firewoks, a Navy flyover, colorful new lighting on the bridge and performances by the Brooklyn Philharmonic. We received some great images of the fireworks in our inbox, thanks to Perry Oki and to Chris for his Flickr Set.

Tonight’s events include the following:

Brooklyn Bridge Film Series: Pack a picnic dinner and enjoy the sunset at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge as DJs spin tunes. Stick around for an open-air showing of Walt Disney Pictures’ Enchanted (2007; rated PG), a modern-day fairy tale set in Manhattan. It will be preceded by two short historic films— Panorama from the Tower of the Brooklyn Bridge (1903) and Manhatta (1921). Music begins at 6pm; film starts at 8:30pm. This event is free—along with the popcorn. (Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, enter at Main Street, Dumbo Brooklyn)

Brooklyn Bridge Information Tents: The American Society of Civil Engineers and the Roebling Chapter of the Society for Industrial Archeology will offer guided tours of the Bridge through Sunday, 10am–5pm. Free. (Brooklyn Bridge by Manhattan and Brooklyn-side arches)

Starting today, Brooklyn and Manhattan will celebrate the Bridge’s 125th anniversary with a host of events honoring the structure’s historic and cultural significance. Today’s events include:

Celebration Kick-off: A concert featuring the Brooklyn Philharmonic and special guest performances including the legendary Marvin Hamlisch, followed by a Grucci Fireworks extravaganza (at approx. 7:45pm). A festive lighting ceremony will illuminate the entire Bridge, which will remain lit every evening from 9pm–11pm through Memorial Day. Doors open at 6pm; concert starts at 7:45pm. Free. (Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, enter at Main Street, Dumbo Brooklyn)

The Telectroscope: A Window Through the World: Discover the long-forgotten transatlantic tunnel between London and Brooklyn with the Telectroscope. Artist Paul St. George’s public media project is an amazing optical device that allows viewers in Brooklyn to see all the way to London. Through June 15. Free. (On Old Fulton Street at Fulton Ferry Landing, Brooklyn). See previous DumboNYC post.

For full schedule, go to newspaperads.nydailynews.com. Also nycvisit.com/bb125/.

125 years ago, at 2pm on May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge officially opened. New York City is celebrating the bridge’s birthday with a week of events. With Dumbo situated at the foot of the bridge, the Dumbo Improvement District, with support from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and NYC Department Of Transportation organized and unveiled a permanent public art project and upgrade to the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian walkway at Washington and Prospect Streets today at 2pm. The permanent installation features fiber optic and LED lighting and art (consistent with their environmental efforts), a map and signage under the bridge, and metal signs and directional compass on the sidewalks.

Dumbo Improvement District Executive Director Tucker Reed, NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and Lisa Kim, Director, Percent for Art Program were in Dumbo to unveil these walkway improvements. Marty Markowitz said, “With these beautiful new signs and lights, visitors will have an easier time locating the Bridge’s pedestrian walkway and breathtaking views, as well as the wonders of Dumbo, the epicenter of ‘hip’ in Brooklyn.” As many Dumbo residents can attest, visitors and tourists to the area used to be confused about where to go for the Bridge, or directions to the park, Brooklyn Heights, or a neighboring community. Not only will these signs help guide them back to Brooklyn Bridge or Manhattan, but also liven up the previously dark underpass with unique and interesting lighting.

Coinciding with the public art lighting, the 2008 celebration will kick off with a public birthday party on Thursday, May 22nd at the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park DUMBO, featuring live music by the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Grucci fireworks, and the unveiling of special bridge lighting that will illuminate the bridge from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. through Memorial Day. (More at nyc.gov)

The signage and public art lighting installation was created by Emphasis Design, Tillet Lighting Design and KT3D, and is entitled “This Way.”

{Dumbo Improvement District 2007 Initiatives, 04Mar2007}
{Brooklyn Bridge Lighting Flickr Set}

Discuss DOCK STREET and the DUMBO REZONING PLAN with PAUL GRAZIANO

When: Sunday, May 18th, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Where: 70 Washington St. PH-E, DUMBO, Brooklyn
Cost: $75 per person donation, including wine and hors d’oeuvres

The Dumbo Neighborhood Association invites you to spend and evening with Paul Graziano, noted historic preservationist and the urban planner behind DNA’s rezoning plan for DUMBO.

Space is limited, please RSVP to: karen@dumbo-dna.org. To pay in advance, mail checks payable to “DNA” to: DNA, 45 Washington St., P.O.Box 123, Brooklyn, NY 11201