openhousenewyork (ohny.org) announces a new series – openstudios- designed to provide exclusive access to the architecture studios and the individual architects and designers whose work make New York City a vibrant and sustainable place to live and work. This series will also highlight the individual neighborhoods throughout the city that have become burgeoning hubs of architectural creativity and design innovation.

Organized in collaboration with The Architect’s Newspaper, Two Trees Development, and the DUMBO Improvement District, the series kicks off on Saturday, February 25, 2012 from 1:00 – 5:00pm in DUMBO, Brooklyn. More than twenty-five established and emerging architecture and design firms will open their studios to discuss their practices. Visitors will have the opportunity see models, renderings, and drawings, and get insight from the architects and designers themselves into the influences and challenges that shape their practice.

For a list of the participating firms, visit the Dumbo BID website. To attend, purchase your tickets here for $30. Tickets will be sold on the day of the event for $35 ($25 for students). Check in is at 81 Front Street on the day of the event.

(Photo courtesy of MANIFOLD.ArchitectureStudio (10 Jay Street, #309B, Brooklyn NY))

The New York Times explains why some historic districts are missing the brown street signs. (They colored them “terra cotta” because they thought that color would blend well with any background). However as many as 37 districts lack the distinctive brown “historic district” street signs, out of a total of 104 districts and 16 district extensions. The city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission designates the districts but they do not pay for the signs. The Dumbo neighborhood won its historic desigation in January 2008. However, three and a half years later, Dumbo still does not have these signs.

According to the article:

The signs, where they exist, are paid in part by a nonprofit organization, the Landmarks Preservation Foundation, that works with the commission to underwrite historical markers.

Elisabeth de Bourbon, a spokeswoman for the commission, said the signs do not come automatically as soon as a historic district is designated. “There’s nothing that happens if they don’t get in touch with us,” she said. “We don’t proactively go into neighborhoods to install signs.”

Though some community groups have not yet informed the Landmarks Preservation Commission that they are missing the signs, others, including Douglaston Hill, Dumbo and the extension to the already-designated Greenwich Village, say they haven’t seen any progress even after making the request.

Apparently, the neighborhood must raise most of the money for the signs themselves. The foundation grants each historic district $400 for the signs, which cost $55 each to manufacture, according to the commission.

According to privately run Historic Districts Council, “the initial signs for the then-80-plus historic district were funded by an anonymous donor with the intention that the City would provide appropriate signage as new districts were designated. This was agreed-upon but failed to be kept in practice, and unfortunately now, communities are responsible for providing funds for their own street signs, often through discretionary city council or private funding. This strikes us as a rather sad state of affairs, quite like asked to pay to print your diploma – but we suppose that happens too.”

Based on this, the neighborhood should contact City Councilman Stephen Levin to set aside funding for Dumbo’s new signs.

As one commenter in the NY Times article states, “The Department of Transportation is in the process of changing all City street signs from all-caps to signs with only the first letter capitalized. One would hope that the Landmarks Preservation Commission could coordinate with this fellow City agency to have the terra cotta-type street signs put up in historic districts currently without them at the time that DOT would be replacing the green signs regardless. This would, in theory, save DOT the cost of manufacturing green signs that aren’t needed while also providing these districts with the special signs they desire.” However, we’ve started spotting the new DOT signs in certain areas of Dumbo:

(Photo courtesy of Josh Derr).

More history about the brown historic signs from Historic Districts Council after the jump:

New York City’s historic districts are a heterogeneous bunch – ranging from the modest carriage houses of Shingle homes of Ditmas Park to the Beaux-Arts buildings of the Upper East Side, but most of them have at least one thing in common; terra-cotta street signs. These warm-brown signs, designed by Massimo Vignelli, are the first indication to visitors and New Yorkers alike that they are in a designated New York City historic district and serve an important public awareness role for preservation (to say nothing of their de facto regulatory aspect of alerting the public that if there’s work happening to the building – the LPC had better know). The program was created by Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel (this year’s Landmarks Lion), gained the appropriate design approvals and was launched in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Landmarks Law in 1990. Since then. the signs have become New York City icons, appeared in films and television and have been duplicated in other cities around the world. The initial signs for the then-80-plus historic district were funded by an anonymous donor with the intention that the City would provide appropriate signage as new districts were designated. This was agreed-upon but failed to be kept in practice, and unfortunately now, communities are responsible for providing funds for their own street signs, often through discretionary city council or private funding. This strikes us as a rather sad state of affairs, quite like asked to pay to print your diploma – but we suppose that happens too.

One of the most remarkable street signs in the program was the one installed in Jackson Heights, on the corner of 35th Avenue and 81st Street. The letters in the sign (pictured above) are marked with “Scrabble” point values – commemorating the invention of the game by local architect Alfred Mosher Butts, a parishioner at the nearby Community United Methodist Church (legend has it that Butts game-tested his invention at the church). When Dr. Diamonstein-Spielvogel learned this history (in the course of researching her Cultural Medallions project), she felt the street sign was a wonderful way to pay homage to the beloved game and got Hasbro, who owns the rights to Scrabble, to allow the usage. It was a hit, “a Jackson Heights icon” in the words of Councilmember Daniel Dromm – so much so that three years ago, it went missing. As recently reported in The New York Times and the Daily News, CM Dromm, a former teacher and Scrabble enthusiast, has been instrumental in getting the sign replaced – a local item of concern during his 2009 campaign for office. “I think it’s important for people to know and understand the history of the community.” CM Dromm is also a strong supporter of the campaign to extend the Jackson Heights Historic District, one of HDC’s Six to Celebrate. We applaud his commitment to preserving his community’s history and look forward to continuing to work with him.

As of this morning, it looks like the facade work on the 55 Washington Street building is completed and scaffolding is being taken down. Work on the exterior started in July. The building looks as good as new.

The retail conversion ‘behind’ the building on Adams Street is still being worked on.

Previously:
{Scaffolding Being Put Up Along 55 Washington, 16Jul2010}
{New Retail Space Being Created in Dumbo, 22Sep2010}

Once a parking lot and illegal dumping site, the DUMBO BID with NYC DOT, opened the transformed Pearl Street Triangle on August 8, 2007, complete with its signature bright green paint, street furniture and public art features as a temporary treatment to gage the community’s response and usage of the space. In the three years since, the DUMBO BID is looking towards future uses of the public space and hopes that this competition will spur some thought on how the Pearl Street Triangle should evolve as an innovative and functional public space for Dumbo.

They showcased 8 design proposals in May. Last night, the DUMBO BID announced the winner of the Pearl Street Triangle “Ideas Competition.” The winner was by Brendan Coburn, AIA of Coburn Architecture (based at 45 Main Street) and his project designers, Yuliya Ilizarov and Abdou Ndoye titled “The Tracks: Ride the Rails!”

Project Name: The Tracks: Ride the Rails!
Description: The Tracks plaza takes it’s inspiration from the myriad of rail lines that at one time weaved their way through the industrial streets of DUMBO. As these tracks emerge from beneath the pavement surrounding the triangle they become the armature for a series of tiered seats that wind through the site to create three amphitheater-like spaces: the first, facing the Manhattan Bridge, is delineated by seating for films projected onto the masonry wall that encloses the arch beneath the bridge; the second, a performance and display space enclosed by two opposing tiers; and the third, where a low tier hugs a series of in-ground fountains. Shallow alcoves are molded underneath the higher tiers, welcoming local artists to display their creations.

All of the submissions were interesting and had a different spin on the use of the public space. There was even one that proposed adding a subway stop at the Manhattan Bridge anchor above the Triangle with an elevator/stairs down below. How do you think the space should be used? Other submissions after the jump.

Project Name: Synergy of Movement and Connectivity
Description: Entering Dumbo and the triangle is to enter a place that was created before cars, and it remains staunchly rooted in that past. The Triangle is alive with the phantom energy of that past industriousness. The energy is palpable and modern-day people flock there to experience the vibe. Our design concept is born of this vibe and energy. Our triangle works with the textures and patterns wrought from the steel rails and bridge; the stone streets and bridge and phantom energies of the men who once worked this street hauling materials to manufacture products, excavating earth to erect this massive bridge.

Project Name: Pearl Street Triangle Project
Description: FUNCTIONAL: The Triangle Design is intended to be used. Most every part is occupy-able for specific use or provides a space for improvised use. DURABLE: The Triangle Design is constructed by masonry, concrete, and steel. It is an all weather shell that will require little maintenance and stand up to the elements. The interior is open air although it can easily be retrofitted to be climate controlled. SPECTACLE: The tiered seating is intended to be used by any number of groups and persons but most of all it is intended to simply imply an audience for watching everyday activities.

Project Name: Pearl Street Piano

Description: This design utilizes the natural shape of the Pearl Street Triangle and transform it into the world’s largest interactive piano/fountain/park. The benches and trees provide a comfortable, safe and fun social area. Adults and children will enjoy the larger than life and educational piano. When a person steps on a note, it will make a sound (think, the movie “Big” but…bigger). During hot summer days, kids will play in music note shaped water jet fountain. During summer nights, the fountain lights up in vibrant 110 York Street colors. We were inspired by Jay-Z, music and art, nature and Dumbo features.

Project Name: Embedded Crossroads
Description: The Pearl Street Triangle is a bare bones pocket park. As a street level pedestrian space reclaimed from a parking lot it is a veritable tabula rasa– literally outlined. This blank slate is begging to be etched and folded to better harbor central community activites and lively gatherings. Embedded Crossroads concretizes the triangles current occupational tendencies by augmenting pedestrian infrastructure. Human scaled vertical elements interplay with adjustments to Dumbo’s existing surface vernacular– blurring edges while defining pedestrian space for crossing and inhabiting. While planters, benches, a wall, and surface textures suggest certain modes of pedestrian habitation, the space remains ultimately adaptable.

Project Name: DUMB-O Triangle
Description: The DUMB-O Triangle proposal highlights the unique character of the neighborhood by creating a contemporary and contextual open plaza. The introduction of Google Maps has provided a new language for navigating our world. The desolate but central location of the Pearl Street Triangle demands a new identity. Our proposal aims to address both the physical and virtual inhabitants of the space. At eye level, the physical structure defines a modern day piazza, a space for social gathering. Seen from space, the DUMB-O triangle becomes a graphic marker for the center of historic Dumbo.

Project Name: Anchoring Dumbo
Description: What a thrill to descend from the Belvedere of the Manhattan Bridge, 90 feet above Dumbo on your bicycle and arrive in the newly conceived Dumbo Anchorage Square. Or walking from the pedestrian path of the Manhattan Bridge from Chinatown, and descending wide stairs with landings, similar to SOHO fire escapes, that allow visitors to linger and take in the waterfront vistas of Dumbo and the Manhattan skyline beyond. Below the street, visitors can partake in the spontaneous and organized events in the Square, travel to the water’s edge at the Empire Fulton Ferry Park, or visit the various cafes, shops and stores in Dumbo.

Project Name: Access + Connection = Innovation
Description: The proposed design establishes connections between Dumbo and the surrounding urban fabric by 3 methods which culminate the Pearl Street Triangle: (1) Create a subway stop on the Manhattan Bridge and connecting it to the Pearl Street Triangle w/ elevators and a ramp. The ramp is programmed w/ bike storage, lockers, restrooms, showers, and a viewing platform. (2) Close off Anchorage Place to create a public plaza which may be seen as an extension and an entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge Park. The public plaza is designed integrally with the ramp to the subway stop and creates a node in the city fabric. (3) Create a “Commercial Corridor” beneath the Manhattan Bridge, guiding pedestrian traffic into the heart of Dumbo.

 [+]

Also: Bold vision for Pearl Street Triangle in DUMBO, 22Jun2010, NYP

If you haven’t checked out Brooklyn Navy Yard, which borders Vinegar Hill, Urban Oyster is bringing us a great chance to explore the Yards by bike. Explore the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s transition from being one of the nation’s foremost naval shipbuilding facilities to becoming a national leader for sustainable urban industrial parks. Learn about the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation’s sustainable development efforts including the nation’s first multi-story “green” industrial building, first solar and wind-powered street lamps, NYC’s first building-mounted wind turbines, adaptively reused historic structures, and new green buildings certified by the US Green Buildings Council.

First bike tour is on Sunday, April 25, and will occur each month through at least October.

Sunday, April 25, 1:45pm (approx 2 hours)
Sunday, May 23, 1:45pm
Sunday, June 6, 1:45pm

REQUIREMENTS: Each participant must supply his/her own bicycle & bring and wear a safety helmet at all times while on the Brooklyn Navy Yard tour. Need to rent a bike? Check out Ride Brooklyn Bike Shop. Also, check out Recycle-a-Bicyle in Dumbo for used/refurbished bikes.

Admission: $24 per person/ $20 for BHS members & BNYDC tenants and employees. Advance ticket purchase required. Click on the following link to check availability and purchase tickets.

Urban Oyster aims to reveal the hidden treasures of NYC and have fun tours such as the Brewed in Brooklyn Tour and the Food Cart Tour. They also organize the Brooklyn Navy Yard tour bus tours.

Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation. View BNYDC’s Flickr photos page.

The DOB has issued a Full Vacate Order on the townhouses at 11, 13 and 15 Old Fulton Street due to “significant structural defects of rear wall entire building and rear yards to be vacated.” Commenters in a 2007 post about 11-15 Old Fulton Street, did mention that there are “severe structural issues with them, and the land they sit on,” so this may have affected the buildings.

DOB listing for:

1. 11 Old Fulton Street
2. 13 Old Fulton Street
3. 15 Old Fulton Street

Top photo courtesy of epc.

Previously:
{Three Vacant Buildings on Old Fulton Street, 18Jan2007}
{Old Fulton Street Townhomes Under Contract, 30Nov2007}

The Community Board 2 committee approved Toll Brothers’ building design for the vacant land on 205 Water Street on Wednesday night. The Brooklyn Paper reports that the CB2 committee felt the design “fit the DUMBO context, committee members also said they appreciated that the developers did not shoot for the full 12 stories that the current zoning allows. Instead, the housing will remain at seven stories, except for one luxury condo unit that will extend to nine stories on one side.”

The project will contain 67 market-rate units and 86 parking spaces in an underground garage. The current zoning in the landmark district of DUMBO doesn’t require 20-percent of the units to be below-market-rate housing at each residential complex — but the landmark zoning of 2007 requires that the project be voted on by the Landmarks Commission. After the project reaches the full community board, it heads to the commission for an April 6 vote.

“We loved the gritty nature of this industrial area, and that was our inspiration,” said Navid Maqami of GreenbergFarrow, the project’s architects. “The rust colors, steel and concrete — these are what you find in DUMBO.” In a Crain’s article, David Von Spreckelsen, a senior vice president at Toll says “Besides Brooklyn Heights, this is the only desirable place in Brooklyn where we would want to do a project now,” He mentioned how little inventory there is in Dumbo and that “recent resales of existing condos in the neighborhood have been between $800 and $1,200 per square foot.”

Toll bought the vacant lot at 205 Water St. for $100 per square foot in December.

{CB2: This project takes no ‘Toll’ on DUMBO, 18Mar2010, Brooklyn Paper}
{205 Water Street Plans Revealed at Community Board, 18Mar2010, Brownstoner}

Previously:
{Toll Brothers to Build Condos at 205 Water St, 07Jan2010}
{Demolition at 205 Water Street, 24Jan2007}
{In the Press: Demolishing 205 Water Street, 27Jan2007}
{Stop Work Order Violation Issued at 205 Water Street, 14Feb2007}

192 Water Street:

The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness to amend previous approval to alter ground floor and install a marquee in their last meeting for 192 Water Street. As previously noted, the owners are converting the ground floor and lower floor into a 250 person live performance theatre and plan on creating 10 condominium units on floors three through five.

9 Old Fulton Street:

Also, in an upcoming hearing on May 5, 2009, the LPC will be reviewing an application for 9 Old Fulton Street in the Fulton Ferry Historic District, a vacant lot, to construct a four-story building with a one-story penthouse (Zoned M2-1). According to the Fulton Ferry Landing Association, “the application was approved by the CB2 Land Use Committee over several no votes; a motion to approve without a rooftop “mezzanine” was defeated by one vote.” They follow with:

“The design has been described to us as a penthouse “cube” on top of the 4-story building. We have concerns that the bulkhead will encroach on the view of the Bridge, will be seen from the street, and will be inconsistent with the historic character of this row of houses, whose history extends back to the 1830’s. A Public viewing of the plans will be held at the Landmarks Preservation Commission office, 1 Centre Street, May 1st followed by a Public Hearing on Tuesday, May 5th, starting at 9:30 am on the 9th floor. If you are interested please come, see for yourself, and most importantly, speak to the LPC on May 5th about the importance of maintaining the character of this historic neighborhood.”

If anyone has design renderings, please email us.

Previously:
{Stop Work Order Issued at 192 Water Street, 06Jan2009}
{192 Water Street Construction Moving Forward, 23Jul2008}
{Condo and Theatre Conversion at 192 Water Street, 02Jan2008}

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}

In ordering a height reduction and the cut-out section from the mid-rise portion of the building, the Commission seemed to at least be partially swayed by a late push by Brooklyn Bridge historian David McCullough, who visited the fabled span this month to call for the Walentas proposal to not only be halted, but for other buildings around the bridge to be demolished for a national park.

McCullough’s viewpoint was published in Newsweek last week. The next step of the process will move to the City Council for a vote.

The Dumbo Neighborhood Alliance (DNA) has been a vocal opposition to the height, distance, and the mass of the proposed development and will no doubt be releasing a statement. We received word from them that in addition to David McCullough, several celebrities will be starring in supporting roles in their grass roots campaign. Gabriel Byrne of The Usual Suspects and HBO’s In Treatment, Helen Hunt of As Good as It Gets and Mad About You, Gary Sinise of The Green Mile and Forrest Gump, Ana Gasteyer of Saturday Night Live and Mean Girls, Emmy Award winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns of Brooklyn Bridge and The Civil War fame and Skipp Sudduth of Third Watch and Law & Order have all added their support to the opposition of the proposed 18-story building.

{Past Dock St Dumbo posts}

The Department of City Planning’s proposed Dumbo rezoning was voted on by the full Community Board last night. Yesterday’s vote by the full board rejected the proposed rezoning by a vote of 13-10. CB2 members who voted against felt that the 12 story height limit is too tall for the neighborhood, while the Dumbo Improvement District argues that an increase in residents would help businesses in the area. CB2′s Land Use Committee on March 19th, 2009 voted 8-6 to disapprove the rezoning. The Community Board is only advisory, and the Borough President Markowitz will vote on the plan for the City Planning Commission.

Are you for or against the proposed rezoning of Dumbo?

• Against
• For

View Results

{Rezoning is the elephant in the room in DUMBO, Brooklyn Paper}
{Dumbo Rezoning Plan Hearing Results, 20Mar2009}
{Dumbo Rezoning Public Hearing, 18Mar2009}
{Dumbo Rezoning Proposal on the Table, 19Feb2009}

[For those who were able to attend, please let us know how it went.]

Per Dumbo Neighborhood Association:

The Department of City Planning (DCP) has initiated a 10 block rezoning in DUMBO. Under the proposed plan, the current industrial zoning for this area would be changed to allow 12-story residential buildings to replace the mostly 2 to 6-story buildings in the affected blocks. This will have an impact on people currently living or working in DUMBO as it will substantially increase building heights and, equally as important, alter the mixed-use character of the neighborhood.

The DCP’s website states that the proposal was developed “in consultation with Community Board 2, local civic groups and elected officials,” yet many people living or working in the community haven’t even heard about DCP’s plan. Download details of Public Hearing. The hearing is a good chance for everyone to get introduced to the proposal and raise any concerns or questions.

DATE: Wednesday, March 18, 2009
TIME: 6:00 p.m.
PLACE: Polytechnic Institute
5 Metrotech Center, LC 400

Also, please join State Senator Daniel Squadron as he presents his proposal for Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Date: Thursday, March 19
Time: 6:30 pm
Place: Long Island College Hospital, Conference Rooms A & B 339 Hicks Street, (corner of Hicks and Atlantic)

Download flyer for Brooklyn Bridge Park meeting.

Previously: {Dumbo Rezoning Proposal on the Table, 19Feb2009}

The City Planning Commissioner Amanda M. Burden announced on Tuesday the beginning of public review for a rezoning in Dumbo. City Planning has been working on the plan in consultation with Community Board 2, local civic groups and elected officials and in coordination with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) since first announced almost a year ago. The proposed rezoning area does not cover all of Dumbo Historic District, but mostly areas East of the Manhattan Bridge in Dumbo. The plan would provide for an estimated 891 new units of housing in new and renovated loft buildings and provide regulations to ensure that new development is in keeping with the neighborhood’s historic built character.

The rezoning follows LPC’s designation of Dumbo Historic District on December 18, 2007 and approved by the City Planning Commission (25-Feb-2008) and City Council (16-Apr-2008).

“The proposed rezoning would change the current M1-2 and M3-1 manufacturing zoning designations, which neither permit residential use nor have height limits, to mixed-use contextual zoning districts that would better reflect and preserve the unique character of the neighborhood. Moreover, unlike the heavy industrial uses permitted in the M3-1, uses in the mixed use zoning districts would be more compatible with the changing land use patterns. Much of the growth is expected to be in conversions of existing loft buildings.”

Based on the presentation by City Planning, the plan looks to foster development of East Dumbo while preserving the character of the neighborhood. In the presentation, while it emphasizes that most of the developments are existing building conversions, a few renderings of Jay Street and Bridge Street were shown to visualize the height limits of new developments.

 Jay Street looking north

 Water Street looking West

The next steps? The Dumbo rezoning will now be reviewed by Brooklyn Community Board 2 (by April 27, 2009), after which it will go to the Borough President (30 days), the City Planning Commission (60 days) and the City Council (50 days) as part of the City’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). How do you think the proposed rezoning will change Dumbo?

{City Planning Press Release, 17Feb2009, NYC.gov}
{Dumbo Rezoning Plan, NYC.gov}

The office of State Senator Daniel Squadron announced today that the Dock Street entrance to Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park is NOW open, after being closed for over a year. The opening comes in response to a request from State Senator Squadron. It’s about time the main entrance is opened, after stabilizing the deterioration of the Empire Stores building. Now only if the state can find funding to restore the historic buildings…

Press release from Senator Squadron after the jump.

SENATOR SQUADRON, STATE PARKS ANNOUNCE OPENING OF MAIN GATE AT WATER STREET TO EMPIRE-FULTON FERRY STATE PARK

Squadron Praises State Parks For Needed Change

Brooklyn, NY—State Senator Daniel Squadron and Rachel Gordon, New York City Regional Director of the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, announced today that the Dock Street entrance to Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, long closed to neighborhood use, is now open to the public. The opening comes in response to a request from State Senator Squadron.

“This park is a great resource that should be as open and accessible as possible,” said State Senator Squadron. “Opening the Dock Street gate is one small step that will make a big difference for Brooklyn residents.”

“The Dock Street gate on Water Street has been closed pending the exterior stabilization of the Empire Stores,” said New York City Regional Director Rachel Gordon. “We are very pleased that as that has now been accomplished, the gate can be reopened. Two entrances are better than one.”

###

Previously:
{Empire Stores on Endangered List, 05Dec2008}
{Sidewalk Bridging Being Installed at Empire Stores Warehouse, 08Jan2008}
{Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park Temporarily Closed, 21Dec2007}

On January 14, the Community Board 2 met to vote on the proposed rezoning of the Dock Street Dumbo project and was approved 30 to 7 for the project. This evening, as part of the next step of the ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure) approval process, a public hearing will take place by Marty Markowitz (borough president) from 4 to 9 pm in the Brooklyn Borough Hall Courtroom, second floor, 209 Joralemon St. Below is a letter to the residents of Dumbo from Andrew Stengel, a member of the Community Board 2 on the reasons he opposes the Dock Street zoning application. Please note that this posting is not an endorsement for or against the project by DumboNYC. To be fair, please visit Two Tree Management’s website to read letters from the supporters of the plan:

To the Residents of Dumbo and Surrounding Communities:

I live in Dumbo and I am on Community Board 2 and its Land Use Committee.

As you likely know by now, Land Use rejected the developer’s Dock St. ULURP application by a vote of 7-6 (approved by the full board 30-7) and passed a resolution recommending R7B zoning, i.e., 75-foot height limit, by a 10-1 vote (two abstentions) that was never acted upon by the board.

There at least a dozen reasons I oppose the current Dock St. zoning application. Following are explanations for two of the primary issues.

The argument presented to the community is: you can have a new 300-seat public middle school and 80/20 housing only if we build an 18-story, over 200-foot tall building, adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge. So, do we want to preserve the Brooklyn Bridge or build a new school? This is a completely false choice. (I agree that anything developed at the site should indeed include 80/20 housing. Affordable housing is a serious concern in the community.)

A new public school is a discrete issue. The process to choose Dock St. as the site for a new school was completely dysfunctional and lacked any transparency. (Trust me, I know dysfunction when I see it.) The Department of Education’s search should have started with the question: what do we need to serve the children of the community? Then, where is the best place to do it? Instead DOE apparently settled on Dock St. as the only choice.

The Department of Education has failed to do its homework regarding all of the possible sites for a new middle school in Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights. How do we know there aren’t existing sites that could house a 45,000 square foot facility? (I do wonder if real estate owners have been in contact with DOE.) Set aside the issues of financing for the Dock St. development, what about potential construction delays? (Atlantic Yards, anyone?) With an existing facility there would be no question–if or when?–about construction.

A second, equally important issue, is context. The buildings adjacent and nearest to Dock St. are three, four, five and seven stories–and the Dock St. lot currently includes a one-story building. In that area 18 stories–more than 210 feet with mechanical–is simply wrong. Context, like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But only those blinded with emotion about a new school could possibly see Dock St. as contextual. (Please visit savethebrooklynbridge.org/renderings.asp for images representing the comparative height and bulk of Dock St. from the vantage point of the bridge and streets.)

It is true that buildings a few blocks away from the Dock St. site rise to an similar height. Yes, they are a few blocks away and not thisclose to the Brooklyn Bridge, a national historic landmark. This is not about a view from somebody’s apartment. It is about everybody’s view–whether standing on a street on Dumbo or looking out from the Brooklyn Bridge roadway.

In sum, I believe we can and should have reading, writing and responsible development.

Sincerely,
Andrew Stengel

{Borough President Official Hearing Notice (pdf)}
{Past Dock Street posts}