In April 2012, the DUMBO Improvement District and Brooklyn Tech Triangle partners commissioned an economic impact study of the “Brooklyn Tech Triangle”. Today, the Brooklyn Tech Triangle, a partnership of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, the Dumbo Business Improvement District and the Brooklyn Navy Yard unveiled a master strategic plan that detailed proposals on workforce development, real estate incentives and zoning, transportation linkages, and public space creation with the goal of nurturing innovation for NYC.

New York City is a leading tech innovation hub (after Silicon Valley), and the Brooklyn Tech Triangle is taking charge to include a broad public, private, and academic backing to provide an environment, infrastructure, transportation, and workforce development to ensure that the area can accommodate the needs of the new economy. There are five key challenges to which the Brooklyn Tech Triangle Strategic Plan counters with five plan components. The five key challenges are:

1. Space: We are running out of appropriate commercial space for tech.
2. Workforce: The Tech Triangle could be—but isn’t yet—a new model integrating talent from local communities and universities with high-growth industries.
3. Transportation: It needs to be easier to get around the Tech Triangle.
4. Dynamic Places: Some parts of the Tech Triangle need an upgraded energy and vibe.
5. Tech Infrastructure: The “tech” in Tech Triangle should be apparent to all.

The 94 page plan include challenges and proposals that address them. We’re only touching on a small slice, so you may want to read the full strategic plan. More renderings after the jump…
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There’s been an active discussion on the Dumbo Parent’s Organization (DPO) in the past week about the recent change in traffic patterns, resident concerns, and increased pedestrians in Dumbo. Dumbo’s first stop light was installed in August 2010, and residents say that another review of intersections need to be revisited. Last week, the Brooklyn Eagle published an opinion piece on why Dumbo needs more traffic lights given the shift from a purely industrial district to the busy urban area it is today. Today’s Dumbo, the writer Raanan Geberer says is radically different: “There are condo buildings, retail stores, restaurants, offices and more. The bicycle craze has also hit the area in a big, big way, and several Citi Bike racks are in the area. There are several construction sites, which means more trucks and delivery vans. While DUMBO isn’t exactly Times Square, it is now a busy urban area. And it is clear to me that more traffic lights are needed.”

After the jump below are some posts from members of DPO. Tell us in the comments what you think.
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Back in September 28 2012, the Brooklyn Bridge Park issued a request for proposals to develop the Empire Stores building for the long-term lease, rehabilitation and operation of commercial and retail development in the historic structures (no condos). Submissions were due in December 2012, and 10 proposals were submitted. They were presented to the committee on March 19, 2013. Final selection to be decided this summer 2013.

The building is located within the Fulton Ferry Historic District and eligible for listing on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Empire Stores was closed by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in 2008 after OGS determined that existing building conditions made the building uninhabitable without significant renovations.

The RFP required respondents to submit conceptual plans that demonstrate thoughtful adaptive reuse of the structures, responsiveness to the site design guidelines and a level of design that is on par with the investment made on the part of the public sector.

The full presentation of responses are posted on BrooklynBridgePark.org website. The ten teams presented the following renderings:

(Team 1)

(Team 1)

(Team 2)

(Team 2)

(Team 3)

(Team 3)

(Team 4)

(Team 4)

(Team 5)

(Team 5)

(Team 6)

(Team 6)

(Team 7)

(Team 7)

(Team 8)

(Team 8)

(Team 9)

(Team 9)

(Team 10)

(Team 10)

Which one(s) are your favorite proposals?

Related:
{Brooklyn Bridge Park Issues a Request to Develop Empire Stores, 02Oct2012}
{Empire Stores on Endangered List, 05Dec2008}

The Fitness Guru opened their new gym at 215 Water Street (between Bridge and Jay Streets) on June 6, 2013. The 8,000 square foot gym includes two levels with areas for weights and various workout equipment, men and women’s shower and locker rooms, pilates area, and a huge spinning studio called Bike Brooklyn. The lower level includes a 360 degree monkey bar, barre, weights, and other equipment. The main level includes the workout equipment, locker rooms, pilates, weights, and a terraced Brooklyn Bike studio. Michael Feigin, the founder of The Fitness Guru (TFG), told us that he is interested in creating an accessible community space for members and unlike other gyms, avoids the revolving door membership of regular box gyms. TFG has boot camp, spin, barre, and other classes, and will be adding more. For schedule and info, go to fitnessgurunyc.com.

The Fitness Guru (fitnessgurunyc.com)
215 Water Street, Brooklyn NY 11201
facebook.com/TheFitnessGuru

Previously:
{The Fitness Guru and Bike Brooklyn to Open Fitness Center at 215 Water Street in Dumbo, 06Nov2012}

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We featured Dumbo based startup, Underground Eats back in October 2011. Since then, they have produced or promoted over 250 culinary events and have worked with many of the top culinary chefs in the business. (Go UGE!)

One upcoming event, Big Gay Brunch will be an unforgettable one. The event is a pool party and brunch event featuring the best gay and lesbian chefs in NYC. It is also a fundraiser event raising money and awareness for The Trevor Project, the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to the LGBT community.

BTW, they are looking for amateur synchronized swimming teams of 2-6 to compete for the “Golden Narwhal” (will get reduced admission), and it’s judged by drag queens. Know anyone interested?

Finally, we also hear that UGE is doing something with Vanity Fair in July to celebrate their 100th Anniversary at Jane’s Carousel with a very famous chef….stay tuned for details!

For the Big Gay Brunch details, go to ugeats.com/events/big-gay-brunch/founder

Pratt Area Community Council and Two Trees Management Co. will be holding an information session on affordable rental opportunities at the Dock Street Dumbo building that is being built on Dock and Front Streets in Dumbo/Fulton Ferry Landing Brooklyn. The info session will take place at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church (Fort Greene), 85 South Oxford Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11217. [Enter on Lafayette Ave]

Rents for the affordable units at Dock Street will be between approximately $500-$850 per month for studios, 1, and 2 bedrooms, depending on income, family size, and apartment size. The estimated maximum incomes are $41,500 for a 4-person family, $37,350 for 3-persons, $33,200 for 2-persons, and $29,050 for 1 (all subject to change).

Rental applications will not be available at the presentation (they will be available sometime in 2014). Back in 2008 plan called for 400 rental units, 80 of which will be affordable.

Seating is limited. RSVP by June 10 here.

Facebook event info: facebook.com/events/603721102979132/

From the first info session was in May:

{Past Dock Street posts}

MNS, the Brooklyn real estate firm published their May 2013 Brooklyn Rental Market Report yesterday. The report reveals that the overall average increased by 61 basis points – from $2,486 in April to $2,503 in May – representing an increase of $16.60. Of the 14 neighborhoods analyzed in the report, the following six had negative growth from the previous month: Brooklyn Heights (-0.57%), Bushwick (-1.33%), Clinton Hill (-0.88%), Fort Greene (-0.91%), Greenpoint (-1.30%) and Prospect Lefferts Garden (-2.22%).

Some highlights of the report include the following:

• The overall rent average increased by 61 basis points – from $2,486 in April to $2,503 in May.
• The average rental price in Brooklyn during the previous 12 months has increased from $2,407 in May 2012 to $2,503 in May 2013 – representing a 3.99% gain.
• After reaching an all-time high of $2,687 during April, studios in Greenpoint have inevitably cooled of and dropped 10% to $2,416. Similarly, Bushwick studios have dropped -8.69% during May, after increasing a massive 20% during the previous 12 months.
• Continuing with the Bushwick / Greenpoint theme, both neighborhoods have experience tremendous growth in the last 12 months. Greenpoint studios (28%), 1 Bedroom (13%) ,2 Bedrooms (10%) and Bushwick studios (20%), 1 Bedroom (23%), 2 Bedroom (4%) apartments have all increased in rent.

According to the report, the most expensive average rents for one ($3,654) and two bedrooms ($5,607) were in Dumbo, and Williamsburg and Dumbo have the most expensive studio apartments ($2,652 and $2,650, respectively):

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In Dumbo, studios were $2,650, one bedrooms $3,654, and two bedrooms $5,607. The May 2013 mean Brooklyn rental prices for studios ($1,879/mo), one bedroom ($2,438), and two bedrooms ($3,192).

Here are the Dumbo price trends over 13 months for studios, one bedrooms, and two bedrooms:

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The Brooklyn Rental Market ReportTM is based on a cross-section of data from available listings and priced under $10,000, with ultra-luxury property omitted to obtain a true monthly rental average. Our data is aggregated from the MNS proprietary database and sampled from a specific mid-month point to record current rental rates offered by landlords during that particular month. It is then combined with information from the REBNY Real Estate Listings Source (RLS), OnLine Residential (OLR.com) and R.O.L.E.X. (Real Plus).

The Brooklyn Rental Market Report ™ is published by MNS. The full Brooklyn Rental Market Report ™ by neighborhood (PDF(1.8MB)).

Brooklyn Mac opened its Dumbo location last week (a take out location). Their menu includes mac n’ cheese flavors based on Brooklyn neighborhood names. They are asking the community to for sugggestions on flavors for Brooklyn Mac Dumbo. Winner will be announced on June 1, 2013.

Brooklyn Mac (brooklynmac.com)
59 Pearl Street (61 Pearl Street Entrance), Brooklyn NY 11201
brooklynmacandcheese@gmail.com

What do you do when you can’t find just the right kind of shorts for guys, not too tight, not too baggy, made with quality material in NYC? If you’re John Coghlan, a Brooklyn, Dumbo-based surfer and entrepreneur, design your own uniquely Brooklyn shorts and run a Kickstarter project. John is also a co-founder of Dumbo Startup Lab.

Here’s his story: “When I was packing for my honeymoon in the Maldives, I wanted some new boardshorts and couldn’t find anything that was functional, stylish and locally-made. While I wound up settling for the ‘moon, I recently decided to get to work crafting awesome boardshorts that are made in NYC.”

What makes them great:

• Timeless cut: not booty cutters, not baggy. Just a great fit that will look great on any guy with any body type
• Functional: Super comfortable fabric, big pockets to stash your stuff and a drawstring waist let you wear them anywhere.
• Colors: Classic colors that don’t scream “I’m going to the beach”.
• Made in NYC: This is our favorite. The shorts will be cut, sewn and finished by NYC artisans.

If you’re planning on going to the beach this summer, you’ll want to check out his project, Brooklyn Surf Shorts. Pledge ends on June 7, 2013.

AEGIR Boardworks will be screening the cinematic masterpiece “North Shore” (a 1987 classic) tonight (May 16, 2013) at 7pm. Free entrance. Stop by to check out a screening of the surf cinema.

The screening is BYOS, (bring your own shit)

AEGIR Boardworks
99 Water Street, Brooklyn NY 11201