(Photo by Steve Talkowsk)

The following is the anticipated construction work schedule (7am – 3:30pm work hours), field conditions permitting for this week. Please note that parking may be restricted in work areas.

• 1/4/11 through 2/11/11 – Old Fulton Street B/T Everit Street and Furman Street at Pier # 1, Finish the Roadway restoration and 6” air cock connection
• 1/4/11 through 2/11/11 – Washington Street B/T Water Street and Front Street, Backfill the entire trench and place Temp. asphalt on the roadway
• 1/4/11 through 2/11/11 – Washington Street B/T Water Street and Plymouth Street, Backfill over the 15” sewer and excavate for the sewer installation at Plymouth St.
• 1/4/11 through 2/11/11 – Water Street B/T Washington Street and Adams Street, Continue Excavating and installing 36” Trunk Main and valve chambers

For more information, please refer to the Community Advisory Notice sent to us by The New York City Department of Design and Construction (NYCDDC) (PDF here), which is managing a capital construction project on Water Street from Adams Street to Old Fulton Street and Washington Street from York Street to Plymouth Street.

For More Information Contact: The Community Construction Liaison Paul Kidder 718-643-2850.

Previously:
{Pile Driving on Washington Street, 17Dec2010}
{Two Way Washington Street, 10Nov2010}
{Washington Street Construction (Oct 19 Update)}
{Washington Street Construction (Sept Update), 22Sept2010}
{Asbestos Abatement Project, 27Aug2010}
{Washington Street Construction Update, 13Aug2010}
{Construction Around Dumbo Through 2011+, 10May2010}
{Notice: Cars Parked on Dock Street, 12Apr2010}
{Water Street Reconstruction Update (Mar/Apr 2010), 10Mar2010}
{Water/Washington St Reconstruction Project Update, 03Dec2009}
{Belgian Block Reconstruction to Begin, 04May2009}

We posted about Humphrey Oguda, a Dumbo neighborhood friend a few weeks back, and wanted to post info about the funeral details, per his family and friend’s requests:

Funeral details:

Date: Wednesday February 9th, 2011
Place: Greenwich Village Funeral Home, 199 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012.

Program:
10.30am – 11.30am: Gathering and wake
11.30 am: Service at the Funeral Home
12.30pm: Depart for the cemetery

Blanc et Rouge will also organize a little tasting at the shop in his honor, details to follow.

Our friends at Blanc et Rouge (81 Washington Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201) sent us some sad community news that Humphrey Oguda, a neighbor, resident, friend, and fixture in Dumbo passed away this week. Here’s what Josh, the owner of Blanc et Rouge sent us:

Humphrey Oguda passed away earlier this week. Humphrey has been a neighborhood fixture for over a decade, having been at B&R since very close to the begining. He is a friend to many in the neighborhood and will be sorely missed by all those whose lives he enriched with his humor, his warmth and the great passions he loved to share (wine, photography, music and on and on).

There will be a get-together on Friday (tonight) at A.O.C. (314 Bleeker, corner of Grove), at 8pm to have a drink and remember Humphrey. His family is also endeavoring to to make arrangements to come from Kenya and organize a wake. We will share details as they become available. Anyone who would like to help the family in that effort should feel free to speak with Josh or Paul at B&R.

If you knew Humphrey and would like to help his family, please stop by Blanc et Rouge to share your support. Tonight’s gathering is at A.O.C. (314 Bleeker Street) at 8pm. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Oguda family.

(Photo by Humphrey Oguda)

First, Fortune Magazine featured Dumbo’s “Silicon Beach”, and the New York Observer followed with this piece this week. Not sure what I think about the name Silicon Beach, but like that people are noticing the great companies, services, and products coming from Dumbo or Gairville or Digital Dumbo or NY Digital District or whatever name is given to the small 10 block area under the bridges.

By the way, the article states that “City Hall officialy named the area New York’s Digital District.” When did that happen? I must’ve missed the note, because I don’t remember Marty Markowitz making this official.

The NY Observer visits 1 Main St, 45 Main St, 16 Main St (Galapagos), 55 Washington St, 38 Water St (St. Ann’s Warehouse), 215 Water St, 56 Water and St (Jane’s Carousel).

See their slideshow.

Jan Larsen’s JLA Studios in Dumbo has closed. Jan has been one of the biggest advocates of Dumbo and its artist culture. He has been showcasing art work in the Dumbo studio since 2000 and not only curated a great mix of emerging and established art, but also worked with charities and organizations to host events at the studios. Over the past decade, we’ve seen many changes in the galleries and retail locations, but we’re truly sad to see JLA close. He’s always gracious and welcomes community involvement. According to Jan, in an email to us, the reasons for the closure include a lackluster recovery of the fine art market due to a tough economic environment, but is appreciative of how Dumbo has supported JLA over the years.

Jan continues to represent artists but no longer has the Dumbo studio open. Jan’s newsletters, events, promotions, and friendly studio will be missed for sure. Thank you and best wishes to Jan.

(Google Maps: 63 Pearl Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201)

This video is pretty cool, directed by Charlie Wan, a director/photographer who lives and works in Dumbo (who by the way does some great photography and design. He tells us, “I interviewed a few friends and also showing a couple of favorite locations where I find serenity in this city. Dumbo is one of them.”

The film is part of the global film project “One Day On Earth” shot on Oct 10, 2010. Thousands of film-makers documented that day, and Charlie filmed in several spots in and near Dumbo. He poses the question, “What would you do if this is your last day living in New York?” Great work, Charlie!

According to the real estate industry in NYC, rents are stabilizing or climbing for most neighborhoods. Curbed NY notes today that median rental prices show increases between the 4th quarter of 2009 and the end of 2010, and landlords have ended concessions. If there are concessions, the average concession is one month of free rent. (Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate released their 4Q 2010 Manhattan market overview today. The 4Q Brooklyn market to follow). Crain’s reported last week that Brownstone Brooklyn rents climbed, for example by an average of $143 per month in Brooklyn Heights. Of course Dumbo is not a Brownstone market, but the loft rentals are still ‘hot’. Realtors we spoke to who asked to remain anonymous, told DumboNYC that Dumbo loft rentals that come on the market are gone so fast, there’s a lack of inventory. People are waiting for rentals to come on line. This is partly why rentals are hard to find under $2,600 per month. Multiple realtors believe the 2011 market in the area for rents will stay strong provided that the economy holds its course.

The Real Estate Group NY published a Brooklyn rental market report (December 2010) that show the trends in Dumbo. Overall mean Brooklyn rental prices in December 2010 for studios were $1,624, $2,159 for one bedrooms, and $2,655 for two bedrooms. So how does Dumbo compare? Dumbo studio price trended down from $2,526 in October to $2,064 in December:

Meanwhile, Dumbo one bedroom prices went from a low (in 2010) in June of $2,934 per month, to a high of $3,703 in December:

And two bedroom prices in December were $4,765 per month:

According to StreetEasy.com, the least expensive rental in Dumbo is a one bedroom apartment for $2,550. Median price is $4,050 and median size of 1,164 sqft. As of January 13, 2011, the following are the three least expensive rentals in Dumbo:

$2550: 57 Front Street, Unit 502. 1 bed, 1 bath, N/A sqft. [AptsandLofts.com]

$2600: 133 Water Street. 1 bed, 1 bath, N/A sqft. [Ideal Properties Group]

$2999: 100 Jay Street. 1 bed, 1 bath, 801sqft. [Elliman]

The snow came last night but not as much as declared. Approximately 3 inches fell but the 1,700 snow plows in NYC were out making sure all roads were clear. If you’re flying today, there are delays, but for the most part, there are no major transit delays (Check NYT updates). Check MTA.info for any transit delays and be careful as many streets under the snow are icy. NYC schools are open today.

If more snow falls, check out A Child Grows has THE list of the best places to sled in Brooklyn and NYC. Included is Clumber Corner on the corner of Washington and Prospect Streets in Dumbo (City of New York Parks & Recreation calls this area Brooklyn Heights, but it’s somewhat in between Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights).

(Photo by Andy Bernheimer)

Accuweather issues winter storm warning from 7pm this evening until 6pm Wednesday, Jan 12. According to the warning, accumulations of 8-14 inches of snow (with locally higher amounts possible) and wind gusts of 20-25mph.

[UPDATE 3:48p: Via NewYorkology, MTA Chairman Jay Walder said in a news conference, “If you don’t need to travel tomorrow morning, please don’t. We expect to run service in the morning but there will be changes and no one should leave home without tuning in to the news media or tuning into MTA.info." NY1 says that vulnerable lines include the N, F, B and Q lines in Brooklyn. A decision about closing of public schools will be made at 5 a.m. tomorrow. Parents should call 311 with any questions.]

While on the topic, a PSA message sent from the Office of Emergency Management (OEM):

OEM promoted the 3 steps to prepare for emergency situations during National Preparedness Month this past September, and they’re continuing their education during the winter with their Resolve to Be Ready campaign. Forty percent of New Yorkers said they do not feel prepared for an emergency. As you know, it can get quite cold in New York during the winter and the weather can cause plenty of problems, as it already has. It’s essential for all New Yorkers to be prepared for any emergency that could arise. On OEM’s Facebook page you can find more information and even take the first step in making a plan by selecting and sharing your own meeting place using the Get Ready NYC: My Meeting Place Facebook application.

Submit photos on OEM’s Facebook page on how you’re preparing for emergencies in the New Year. Accuweather’s winter storm warning also states: “IF YOU MUST TRAVEL…KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT…FOOD… AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY”.

(Photo by Barry Yanowitz)

We received word from the Dept of Sanitation that they will resume pick up recyclables in Dumbo Saturday. Pick up has been postponed since the snow storm hit on December 26, and garbage has been piling up since then.