(click to go to video)

Our friend Alex La Cruz (of Vinegar Hill) attended The Creators Project festival last weekend in Dumbo and made the above video of Florence + The Machine performance. Great shots!

According to the signs that went up in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Main Street location, the lawn is closed for rejuvenation through the winter. It will reopen in the spring 2012 as a dog free park (as with all grass areas of the park, consistent with other sections of Brooklyn Bridge Park). The sign does say that dogs are welcome at the Main Street dog run (photo below) and on pathways and promenades. We received a few emails from unhappy dog owners about this. What do you think?

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[ED: Parking in Dumbo has been a sore subject for Dumbo (as are in many neighborhoods in NYC that lack enough spaces for visitors, residents, and workers. Parking used to be easy to find in 2005 when the area did not have as many residents and businesses. As residents and businesses moved into the area and infrastructure/construction increased, parking has been a challenge for those who drive to Dumbo. But there's hope (aside from indoor/outdoor pay lots). Below are the techniques, as written by Danii Oliver, who commutes to Dumbo every day by car. Please note that parking regulations and signs may change without notice. Observe signs to confirm you are parked in a valid space.]

Sorry Dumbo, for the delay on last week’s secret revelation. I was delayed driving around looking for parking and was waiting in my car for alternate side parking to end. Now that its over let me share my secrets to finding parking in Dumbo with you!

Over the past 6 months I have been driving to work here in Dumbo. At first I had trouble finding parking which made getting to work on time very difficult. However, with time I learned the area and began to formulate a system.

This is a 6 day a week parking schedule that reduces driving around time and can get you in the office by 10:05 AM. Since I am revealing my secret it is imperative that you do two things 1.) Don’t take my spot LOL! and 2.) Be on time for parking not just work. You should plan to arrive in Dumbo around 9 AM to get a space.

Post written by Danii Oliver, Interactive designer and developer. CDO of DAMN Digital Studio, an Interactive Agency. *Please note parking signs may change without notice.*

Related:
{DOT Reverses Story on No Parking Sign, 02Sep2006}
{New Street Parking Spots in Dumbo, 24Aug2007}
{Front Street Parking Regulations Update, 06Nov2007}
{Watch for Updated Parking Regulations in Dumbo, 04Apr2008}
{New Parking Regulations On Front Street, 24Nov2008}
{Outdoor Parking on Old Fulton to Close, 22Apr2009}
{Outdoor Parking in Dumbo, 29Jun2009}
{Parking in Front of 70 Front St, 29Jun2009}

{Past Parking articles on DumboNYC}

There was an article in the NY Times about the Jehovah’s Witnesses listing eight of their prime properties in Brooklyn Heights in the past month. As part of the Witnesses plans to move their operations to upstate New York, they have started listing more of their buildings in Brooklyn. They sold several large buildings in the past 6-7 years. A few key properties sold or being sold (aside from the buildings sold on the Brooklyn Bridge Park property):

• 360 Furman Street, sold in 2004 for $205 million, was converted to the luxury condo, One Brooklyn Bride Park.
• 169 Columbia Heights, a former 12 story hotel known as Standish Arms in 2007 for $50 million.
• 161 and 183 Columbia Heights were sold as a package.
• 165 Columbia Heights
• 105 Willow Street
• 34 Orange Street
• The Bossert, a former 14-story hotel at 98 Montague St has been on the market since 2008.
• 89 Hicks Streeet, built in 1940, has 48 units and was purchased by Brooklyn Law School in 2006 for $14 million.
• 67 Livingston Street sold to NYU in 2006 for $18.6 million

The most recent listings include the following:

• 165 Columbia Heights $4,500,000
• 76 Willow Street $3,600,000
• 67 Remsen Street $3,600,000
• 105 Willow Street $3,600,000
• 34 Orange Street $3,500,000

These are all in Brooklyn Heights. But what about the properties in Dumbo? Why aren’t they on the market yet, writes a reader who emailed us:

“I am wondering if you know anything about the Watchtower properties located here in Dumbo. According to a NY Times article from this past weekend, there are several prime properties in Brooklyn Heights that will be sold by the society.”

“However, as long as I have lived in Dumbo I have never heard of any mention of their properties in Dumbo. For example, the tennis court building on Front Street, the huge empty lot near the F train subway station, the big building behind the Bagel shop on Front St, and the loft warehouses on Prospect Street. Do you know if the society has any future plans to sell these now that they are moving upstate? Just curious. If yes, this could spur yet another wave of huge transformation for Dumbo.”

We understand that several of the former printing press buildings on Sands Street are empty and the lot on 85 Jay Street is used as a parking lot. Our guess is a combination of economics and logistics – moving that many buildings and people to divest their Brooklyn properties will not happen overnight. The Dumbo properties could also continue to rise in value as more residents move in and infrastructure is fixed, so it makes sense to wait it out. What do you think?

Related:
{Holy Moly: Watchtower Continues to Divest in the Heights, 19Aug2011, Brownstoner}
{A Century of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 28Apr2010, BK Eagle}
{The Watchtower Moving Some Operations from Brooklyn, 26Mar2009}
{Where’s the Tennis Court in Dumbo?, 10May2007}
{Jehovah’s Witness Buildings Could Offset Brooklyn Bridge Park Costs, 08Oct2010}
{Watchtower Plans on Moving Out of Brooklyn, 24Feb2010}
{‘Mysterious’ 85 Jay Street Activity?, 30Jan2008}
{Glimpse Inside Jehovah’s Witness Headquarters, 16Nov2006}

Episode 6: Richard Velloso of Olga Guanabara (olgaguanabara.com)
Directed by Orlaith O’Neill
Created by David Castillo
Produced by Blue Barn Pictures, Inc. for DumboNYC on vimeo

In this episode of Crossing Dumbo, Blue Barn Pictures interviews Dumbo resident Richard Velloso, co-owner of Olga Guanabara, a furniture studio in Dumbo at 63 Pearl Street. Olga is named for Richard’s chocolate lab dog, and Guanabara comes from the Tupi-Guarani language (South America), goanã-pará, from gwa “bay,” plus nã “similar to” and ba’ra “sea.” It’s also translated as “the bosom of sea.” Richard talks about his creative work on his custom furniture pieces using wood found on the beach under the Manhattan Bridge.

Crossing Dumbo, a web series of video portraits of artists, entrepreneurs and residents in Dumbo Brooklyn. This is a collaboration between DumboNYC and our talented friends over at Blue Barn Pictures. Different directors from Blue Barn Pictures, a creative content agency, bring their own approach to each interview to create a distinct profile of the person being interviewed and place them within the Dumbo community. The people at Blue Barn Pictures truly love what they do and support the community in a positive way, and for that we’re grateful to have them be a part of Dumbo.

For the Dumbo Art Festival (Sept 23-25) Blue Barn Pictures will open their office into a gallery to showcase Crossing Dumbo. All the Crossing Dumbo participants will be displaying their art and things related to them. Sponsored by Tekserve, they will have with several iPads displaying the episodes along side their art work.

{DumboNYC.com/category/crossing-dumbo/}

Just after 9pm, lights along Plymouth Street went out temporarily. Reader Chris Frank send us this note:
“A transformer exploded at 913PM tonight in the John Street ConEd substation in Dumbo. The sprinkler system worked flawlessly & the fire was out within 10 minutes. Fire dept rolled in with 4 pumpers and a hook & ladder, but didn’t even have to bust in to extinguish and they’ve moved on 30 minutes later. Good job 911, ConEd & the NYFD”

Jane’s Carousel is being installed in Brooklyn Bridge Park in the Jean Nouvel designed Pavilion, and will open to the public September 16, 2011.

Here’s a few photos taken yesterday:

According to the poster under the Brooklyn Bridge, the carousel will be open 11am-7pm (closed Tuesdays), and will be $2 per ride.

Flickr user funkymonk2000 also posted a few nice photos close up:

Below are some photos in Dumbo from around the web and twitter. For other updates and photos, follow us on Twitter @DumboNYC.

(Photo by Jonathan Segura)

(Photo by Barney Robinson)

(Photo by Peter Hyman)

(Photo by Peter Hyman)

(Photo by Peter Hyman)

(Photo by Peter Hyman)

From Dumbo BID:
THE MAYOR HAS ORDERED A MANDATORY EVACUATION OF ZONE A BY 5PM TOMORROW.

Residents within this zone (shown in orange)– which include several blocks in DUMBO (please see map) are strongly encouraged to evacuate tonight, if possible. Shelters will be opened starting at 4pm today.

From Daniel Squadron, State Senator, 25th District:

Many 25th Senate District residents live within Hurricane Evacuation Zone A and are therefore part of a MANDATORY evacuation. Click here to find out whether your home or business is in Evacuation Zone A. Even if you do not live in Zone A, please read through this email as it includes important information.

If you live in Zone A:

• Please plan on immediately going to stay with friends or family outside of Zone A.
• If you have nowhere else to go, there are evacuation centers throughout the city. Find your closest evacuation center on this map. Pets are allowed in evacuation centers. Owners are urged to bring proof of rabies vaccines and a carrier.
• Take a “go bag” with emergency items, including an extra set of house and car keys, credit and ATM cards as well as cash, bottled water and nonperishable foods, a flashlight, battery-operated radio, first aid kit and copies of important documents (photo ID, proof of address, insurance cards) in a waterproof portable container.
• You must evacuate your home and be in shelter by 5PM tomorrow (Saturday).

Whether you live in Zone A or not:

• The MTA will shut down all mass transit tomorrow, Saturday, at 12 Noon. It is possible that bridges and tunnels will also be closed.
• If you require Access-a-Ride for transportation, make arrangements to be picked up today, Friday, by calling 877-337-2017. Access-a-Ride will be shut down tomorrow, Saturday, at 12 Noon.

If you live outside of Zone A:

• Stay tuned to local television or radio news, or call 311, to find out if the city is evacuating other areas.
• The NYC Office of Emergency Management has compiled important information on how to prepare for a hurricane, available in multiple languages.
• The Red Cross (877-733-2767) has put together a Hurricane Safety Checklist, available in English, Spanish and Chinese.
• Report service problems and power interruptions and view service restoration information on Con Ed’s website or by calling 1-800-752-6633.
• Stock up on bottled water and other essentials on the checklist, and make a plan in case you need to evacuate.

The City will provide updates and storm monitoring here and via 311. You call call the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at 828-271-4800 for the latest weather information.

As always, call 911 if you have a real emergency.

Please stay safe!

SPECIAL NOTICE — SEVERE WEATHER ALERT

This post contains a forecast and links to information from the City regarding preparedness and response plans. As you will see from the map, much of Dumbo is within the designated New York City Evacuation Zones. The closest evacuation centers to DUMBO are: IS 117, NYC Technical College, Brooklyn Tech HS, and Seward Park HS (Manhattan). If you have questions regarding your home or business, please contact 311.

Thank you to Community Board 2 and Dumbo BID for for providing this information.

Forecast for Thursday and Friday

The National Weather Service also forecasts heavy rain for Thursday, with a 50 percent probablity during the day, increasing to 70 percent tonight. This storm is developing ahead of an approaching cold front and may cause coastal and other flooding. Thursday’s storm is not directly related to Hurricane Irene.

Friday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 85° and a north wind at 5 mph becoming east. (Enjoy it while you can, folks.) There is a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, continuing after midnight.

Forecast for Saturday and Sunday

There is a 50 percent chance of showers on Saturday, increasing to a 90 percent probability of heavy rain, strong winds and coastal flooding on Saturday night, with tropical storm conditions on Sunday.

The New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) maintains the official City website for storm information. Visit NYC Severe Weather. Read more about coastal storms and hurricanes. OEM also publishes a Ready New York guide, “Hurricanes and New York City” in 11 languages and has an audio recording. Access the on-line hurricane brochures and recording.

Emergency Preparedness
The Mayor encouraged New Yorkers to prepare personally. He recommended they learn if they are in a hurricane evacuation zone. A map of the evacuation zones in and near Community District 2 in Brooklyn, which includes Dumbo.

Evacuation Zones
Evacuation Zones A (orange) and B (yellow) are in the map shown above. Within Community Board 2, Zone A extends for one block from the water, except for the Brooklyn Navy Yard, all of which is included. Residents in Zone A face the highest risk of flooding from a hurricane’s storm surge. Residents in Zone B may experience surge flooding from a moderate (Category 2 and higher) hurricane. Residents in Zone C (green) may experience surge flooding from a major (Category 3 or 4) hurricane.

Evacuation Centers are indicated in red.