“Tracks on Main St.” (Photo courtesy of swingfeline)

Jake Mooney, of the NY Times visits Dumbo to discuss the current state of the Dumbo Neighborhood Association’s (dumbo-dna.org) quest for a historic district designation in his article yesterday. In 1997, the DNA, with the Historic Districts Council, campaigned to have Dumbo listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The area’s industrial buildings were recognized by inclusion on the State and National Registers of Historic Places in September of 2000. But the DNA is moving on to push for a historic district designation by the New York City’s Landmark Preservation Commission:

Meanwhile, the Dumbo Neighborhood Association, a residents group, has spent years pursuing another goal, one that has proved much more elusive. It is seeking to have Dumbo designated a historic district, which would place restrictions on how buildings can be altered and preserve a measure of the ambience memorialized in the 1997 photographs. If the designation is made, all the buildings within the district will be protected as landmarks….On April 19, the staff of the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission met with local property owners to discuss the ramifications of a designation, and the agency has developed a preliminary map showing what the boundaries of the district might be. It would occupy a jagged plot of roughly 15 square blocks bisected by the Manhattan Bridge.

The article mentions that there are opponents of the designation which “could prevent others from investing in the neighborhood.”

“Dumbo west of Jay was successfully developed and invested in without being landmarked, while still preserving the overall historic nature,” said Peter Forman, who is a co-owner of two buildings on Jay Street that would probably be in the proposed district. “Dumbo east of Jay can achieve the same without diminishing owners’ property rights.”

Jake Mooney covered both sides of the historic district views, but left out an opposing view by Two Trees, the largest holder of real estate in Dumbo. Having Dumbo as a historic district sounds great, but is it about not having ugly modern buildings being erected? Or is it about having buildings in the neighborhood worthy of being landmarked – those that are architecturally significant – protected by the designation? I don’t pretend to know all the facts, but there are many forces working in Dumbo:

1. DNA: According to the DNA’s website, they “work on issues of interest and concern to residents, artists and businesses with the goal of building and maintaining a better community for those who live and work in DUMBO. Some of the issues DNA is currently focused on include: the Loft Law, preservation of our historic buildings and the Belgian block in our streets, improved law enforcement and sanitation,Brooklyn Bridge Park, and education.”
2. Two Trees: A property management company focused on real estate development, also a neighbor (The Walentas’ live in Dumbo) and interested in keeping artists and businesses in the area.
3. Dumbo Improvement District: An “organization dedicated to the enhancement and promotion of one of New York City’s most historic, dynamic and compelling neighborhoods.”
4. Residents: long time and new residents who love their community

To me, it seems that all 4 have a common goal of building and maintaining a community. Is there a middle ground between real estate developers and residents when it comes to historic district designation? Again, I’m just asking b/c I don’t have all the answers…

{Before the Cobblestones Vanish, a Push to Preserve, 03Jun2007, NY Times}

(Photo courtesy of marielleleenen)

A lot of you (myself included) have been wondering what’s up with the utility work going on lately in Dumbo. Christie Rizk, the reporter covering Dumbo at The Brooklyn Paper wrote “You can thank Keyspan for all the torn up streets in DUMBO lately. The gas company is installing new high-pressure lines and upgrading its services for all the new residents moving into the neighborhood…” in last week’s edition. I also called Tucker Reed, the Executive Director at the Dumbo Improvement District to see if the construction will be restoring the Belgian blocks. Several readers have written in concerned that the sidewalks are not being restored to its original state.

Tucker tells me that there is a policy to make the replacement of Belgian blocks mandatory for all contractors for all repairs on the streets. Additionally, he wants us to look out for the Dumbo Improvement District’s new Spring 2007 newsletter that has information on the utility work. The newsletter is not yet on the Dumbo Improvement District’s website, but here’s what the Spring 2007 newsletter states:

“You may have noticed the tremendous amount of utility work going on in DUMBO these days. Keyspan Energy Corporation is upgrading and installing new utility lines all throughout the neighborhood to replace the current, horribly outdated infrastructure. It is a necessary inconvenience that should be completed over the next few weeks. At which point, Keyspan will be responsible for replacing all of the sidewalks and streetbeds that they have torn up in kind.

A side benefit of the Keyspan work is that they are moving many of the utility lines from our roadbeds to run them underneath our sidewalks. Moving the lines will clear the roadbeds for City projects to rehabilitate and refurbish the Belgian block streets in the neighborhood that are in desperate need of repair.

To date, the City has not committed capital funding to fix our streets. However, over the coming year, we will be pushing the City tirelessly to begin undertaking these long overdue repairs. Please keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to assist us in these efforts. Preserving the historic character of our streetscapes, while ensuring that they are safe and well maintained, is of the utmost importance to the continued growth of our community.”

More signs that Dumbo is growing and the Dumbo BID is planning for the influx of population this summer. Write to Tucker Reed at tucker@dumbonyc.org if you have concerns about the repair work not being up to standards.

 155 Water Street, 5/20/2007

 155 Water Street, 5/20/2007

I know Brownstoner had a posting about 155 Water Street on Tuesday, but I have few other photos I took over the weekend. Not sure what developer Josh Guttman is planning on doing with the space (condos? rentals? commercial lofts?), but when the planned Pearl Street Triangle is completed, whoever occupies the building will have a pedestrian plaza in front of the building. Even better if a rumored Greenmarket comes to the plaza.

{BIS Job: “Install Windows In Existing Openings”}
{BISweb on 155 Water Street, BISweb on nyc.gov}
{In DUMBO a Parking Lot Will Become a Piazza, 23May2007, streetsblog.org}

Dumbo retailers and restaurants will be rolling out the red carpet for moms during Mother’s Day weekend – Friday, May 11 through Sunday, May 13, 2007 – with special sales, reduced-price musical concerts, brunch items, flowers and designer chocolates. Twenty of Dumbo’s top cultural venues, boutiques and eateries are participating in this promotion that also includes specials for badgeholders from the BKLYN DESIGNS Show taking place at St. Ann’s Warehouse, Smack Mellon and the BKLYN DESIGNS Annex at 81 Front Street from May 11-13.

Go to Dumbo Improvement District’s website (dumbonyc.org) to see the specials for Mother’s Day and for visitors with BKLYN DESIGN tickets.

{“Brunch Under the Bridges” Debuts in DUMBO — Mother’s Day Weekend Promotions for Shopping and Dining, Dumbo Improvement District}

If anyone was able to attend today’s Landmark Preservation Commission meeting, please email us or add a comment here. (Don’t know why the LPC has to hold a public meeting while most people are working.) We all need to get the facts before speculating on what will happen:

• What does a historic district really mean?
• How does it impact residents?
• How does it impact buildings that are not landmark worthy?
• How does it impact the developers’ ability to demolish and renovate buildings?

Did the meeting address any of these questions? Was there a big turnout? Many of us would like to get all the facts.

Previously: {Dumbo Landmarking Meeting on Thursday at 10am}

 (Click for larger version)

Although an email tip received yesterday did not cite any specific sources, they mentioned that it came from ‘a credible source’. Thus, it is rumored that:

“David Walentas of Two Trees is renewing his efforts to get city approval for a 15-20 story building next to the Brooklyn Bridge on the current site of St. Ann’s Warehouse and Nova Clutch. The proposed plan calls for a rental building of 400 Studio and 1BD units with 450 parking spaces and 14,000sf of retail space.

His prior attempt to build a tall building on this site in 2004 failed due to opposition from community residents.

This proposed prominent building would obscure the panoramic Brooklyn Bridge views from 70 Washington, 30 Main, and 1 Main, for which residents paid millions in premium prices to Walentas.”

Neighborhood residents concerned about this and other neighborhood development can attend a public informational meeting with the New York Landmarks Preservation Commission tomorrow regarding the proposed landmarking of DUMBO. From the NY Times article on the 38 Water Street site, Councilman David Yassky agreed that instead of a 15 story building, an “eight-story building that would not rise above the Brooklyn Bridge would be a terrific use of that site”. Would you agree?

See also:
{Dumbo Then and Now: N Side of Front St at Dock St, 21Jul2009}
{(Temporary) Parking Lot on the Nova Clutch Site, 08Aug2007}
{Goodbye Nova Clutch Building, 20Jun2007}
{Zerega Building, 28May2007}
{Nova Clutch building at 39 Front Street, 20Apr2007}

 View of Dumbo from Brooklyn Heights, 4/5/2007 (Click for larger image.)

The New York Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) will hold a public informational meeting regarding designating Dumbo a landmark-protected neighborhood. This meeting is being held by the LPC because they have been getting pressure from both local developers who oppose landmarking Dumbo and neighborhood residents who are in favor of landmarking Dumbo. According to the Dumbo Neighborhood Association (DNA), certain developers have been privately meeting with LPC Chairman, Robert Tierney, and have voiced strong opposition to designation. Landmarking is assumed to increase land values and preserve historic buildings. On the other hand, modifying any existing structure will require developers to go through the LPC for approval.

The LPC would like to see strong support from residents and business owners in Dumbo or it won’t be calendared (which is the beginning of the designation process). It is very important that people attend to listen to the facts and support or oppose the designation. Many in Dumbo complain about the destruction of historic structures and ensure that new development stay true to the character of this waterfront industrial neighborhood. This is your chance to make your voice heard.

Thursday, April 19
10 a.m.
1 Centre Street, 9th Floor North
Manhattan, NYC

Also on:
{Dumbo Landmarking Meeting Coming Up, Gowanus Lounge}

If you weren’t able to attend the Pearl Street Triangle planning session last week, the Dumbo Improvement District has set up an online survey through their website to collect your thoughts on the project. I wasn’t able to attend. For anyone who attended, was there consensus on making the Pearl Street Triangle a reality?

Click HERE to complete a short survey of how you’d like to see at the Pearl Street Triangle developed.

 (Images courtesy of Dumbo Improvement District)

From the Dumbo Improvement District:

Re-imagining the Pearl Street Triangle…Can’t we do better than this???

When: Thursday, March 22, 5:30pm
Where: 111 Front Street, suite 258
To RSVP for the meeting please contact:
Tucker Reed, Executive Director, Dumbo Improvement District, 718.237.8700 or tucker@dumbonyc.org

The Dumbo Improvement District posted their 2007 initiatives on their website. Although only in their first year in operation, they have a lot of projects planned and have listed seven of their newest projects. They include:

1. A Re-imagined Pearl Street Triangle
2. Overhaul of the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway
3. Re-opening of the Manhattan Bridge Arch as a Pedestrian Thoroughfare
4. Streetscape Improvements
5. New Street Lighting
6. Public Market Initiative
7. New Bus Route

Dumbo will be busy with improvements and changes in 2007 and we’ll definitely be keeping an eye on those changes and impact on the community. If you have any feedback or suggestions, the Dumbo Improvement District is always open for input. We’ll have more to post about the projects in the coming months. The following are some selected photos of the projects (courtesy of Dumbo Improvement District):

 A Re-imagined Pearl Street Triangle

 A Re-imagined Pearl Street Triangle

 New Street Lighting

 Overhaul of the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway

 Overhaul of the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway

 Overhaul of the Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Walkway

 Re-opening of the Manhattan Bridge Arch as a Pedestrian Thoroughfare

We’d like to hear your thoughts, about which projects you feel should take priority, and if there are others projects that Dumbo needs to work on.