Google Map has started adding ‘points of interest’ on their Dumbo map, including restaurants, bars, stores, and companies in the area. A few of them are misplaced on the map (for example, Brooklyn Flea Dumbo is no longer on Front Street and Blueberi is misplaced on Pearl St) and there are many others missing (though I’m sure it’s a work in progress). Is Google planning on mapping out all the street level retail stores in the area? They’re not yet at the level of detail that, say, MondoMap has, but given their mantra of organizing the world’s information, perhaps they’re moving towards combining maps, business listings, and local blogs on the map. They’re not going to catch up with hyperlocal news and content of outside.in (outside.in’s Dumbo news: outside.in/DUMBO_Brooklyn_NY), but it looks like Google is moving towards that direction.

And the center of Dumbo according to the map? Galapagos Art Space; could be a center of culture (or something), but based on Dumbo Historic District boundaries, the Pearl Street Triangle would be more central on the map.

Google Map of Dumbo

Not that anyone didn’t see this coming, but notice how marketing and PR is hitting Dumbo hard? We’ve seen the tour buses on Old Fulton and on Front Street. The tourist guides in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The streetart and photo walks. We’ve seen press from Japan, UK, Germany, Canada, Scotland, and Australia among others that shows how Dumbo is “THE place to be in NYC” for a Brooklyn experience, but recently, you’ve seen street marketing and promotions hitting the streets of Dumbo in hopes of reaching a certain demographic.

(Illy Coffee campaign in front of 111 Front St Art Galleries)

Street marketing, often called “guerrilla marketing” is used to get the name out and advertising a brand with little or no money. It can be a creative and imaginative way of replacing or supplementing an ad campaign. Done effectively, it can reach a specific target audience or community. We asked one of the recent street marketing folks (not one of the pictured ones here) and asked, “Why Dumbo?” Asked to remain anonymous, they said, “Dumbo is a perfect place for street marketing with a good mix of residential, business, and of course the creative community. We [Ed: the advertising firm] felt with Dumbo being a high income demographic, they are smarter about innovative marketing vs conventional advertising. Our product campaign was perfect for this type of marketing. Dumbo also has the high condo and rent pries, so they’re more likely to buy our products.” In a way, you can say that underground street culture and artists were tuned into the Dumbo art scene long before any ‘corporation’ was and was not about ‘reaching a demographic’. But as a resident and one who appreciates art/culture, we hope this doesn’t go the way of a SoHo or West Village that brings a Banana Republic store because that’s who they’re targeting. Obviously we don’t see that happening.

But one that got us scratching our heads is the above bike photo (Thanks mikemookie for this one). Rather than being snarky and say that this is an idea that won’t work over the Belgian block streets of Dumbo, create your own caption in the comments (our readers are much more creative than we are). For the PR people out there, does this sort of marketing work in Dumbo?

(Simply Orange Juice giveaway on Front/Washington Street)

(Tour bus stop for Front Street Pizza)

Twitter Police HQ in Dumbo fighting against bad Tweets. We’re probably next. twitter.com/DumboNYC.

1) Have you seen this bike?

“My BRAND new Fuji seafoam green bike was stolen today. I’m so bummed. I’ve never seen another bike like this and it will definitely stand out if anyone was to see it in the neighborhood. It was stolen from the corner of Washington and Water St right in front of the Sovereign Bank sometime during the day (Thu, July 16). I would be so grateful to have my neighbors on the look out for it.” If you’ve seen this bike, email us.

2) Front Street Flower Shop Lease Cancelled

The lease for the planned flower school and shop at 81 Front Street was terminated before they took over the space. During the spring, the 6,600 square foot space was temporarily used for part of the Brooklyn Flea. According to a person familiar with negotiations, there are other tenants being considered for this space.

3) 68 Jay Street Store?

Does anyone know what retailer will be occupying the space formerly known as Indigo Handloom on Jay Street? We’ve heard rumors that either a clothing store, shoe store, or a food store will be moving into the space.

4) Digital Dumbo #7

If you haven’t signed up already, this month’s Digital DUMBO is co-hosted by NYC Seed and Two Trees with drinks sponsored by MyBankTracker bringing together a collaborative effort from leading companies in DUMBO and the broader NYC area to discuss a topic that interests our entire community.

This month’s event, titled “Growing Up” will include a panel discussion (from Dumbo companies drop.io, Tunecore, outside.in, and MyBankTracker) on how to make the jump from a true start-up to a corporate environment capable of taking on larger projects. The panel discussion will address issues related to growing pains: Hiring, Business Development Processes, Internal Processes, Funding the growth, Morale, and Retaining start-up culture. Lots of other happenings (URDB (Universal Record Database) will be recording an exclusive Digital DUMBO world record this month at the event) at this monthly event and will be located at 76 Front Street (@ Washington Street). July 30, 2009, 6:30pm.

According to the Department of Transportation, Dumbo is one of 5 neighborhoods in Brooklyn to suspend alternate side parking for two months so they can install signs that reduce street cleaning from two days a week to one. The change goes into effect on Monday for Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Vinegar Hill, Fulton Ferry and Brooklyn Heights. Per the NY Post article, the borders include:

North: East River from Furman Street to Hudson Avenue.

East: Hudson Avenue (included) from John Street to Navy Street, including Plymouth Street, Little Street and Evans Street; Navy Street (included) from Hudson Avenue to Myrtle Avenue; Myrtle Avenue (not included) from Navy Street to Flatbush Avenue; Flatbush Avenue (included) from Myrtle Avenue to Fulton Street.

South: Fulton Street (not included) from Flatbush Avenue to Adams Street; Joralemon Street (included) from Adams Street to East River.

West: Furman Street (included) from Joralemon Street to Old Fulton Street.

The regular no parking signs and meter parking will be in effect during this process. Our neighbor, Brooklyn Heights Blog has a map on their site, which we posted after the jump. Per Robert Perris, District Manager, Community Board 2: “The map above is by itself incomplete. Drivers should bear in mind that Fulton Street and Myrtle Avenue are NOT included in the suspension area.”
Read the rest of this entry »

Speaking of parking, in the Mikey’s Hook Up blog, Mikey makes an observation about the fire hydrant that’s in front of their store in Dumbo (70 Front Street):

At least 3 to 4 times a day the Mikey’s Hookup in Dumbo is asked “Is this a real fire hydrant, can I park here?”

The real answer is Yes and No.

I’ve seen NYC traffic tow trucks make round after round scooping cars up and coming right back for more. It hurts to watch . I’ve also seen traffic cops walk right by and don’t feel it’s right to ticket cause of it’s placement.

It is a real live hydrant that’s a fact.

The curb was extended 3-4 years back when Front st. in Dumbo Brooklyn was getting a face lift. The city workers thought it was to much work to move the hydrant in a visible spot.

I’ve ask a number of different traffic officers and they all have different opinions about it.

According to the NYC parking violation code 40: Stopping, standing or parking closer than 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Between sunrise and sunset, a passenger vehicle may stand alongside a hydrant as long as a driver remains behind the wheel and is ready to move the vehicle if required to do so.

The hydrant is over 9 feet from the curb. So does that mean you really only need to park 6ft from it? There is nothing in the violation code stating the hydrant must be 15ft from the front or back of the vehicle . It just says “closer than 15ft”.

Don’t worry though. I’m sure it’ll get fixed sometime in the next 15 years. So be careful next time visiting the Dumbo MHU

Thanks for the parking tip Mikey. Now you know.

In addition to the Old Fulton parking lot that closed in April 2009, the 90 Washington Street lot (corner of Washington and Prospect Streets) is closing as of tomorrow, June 30, 2009 to make way for NYC parkland, according to the parking attendant. It is reportedly being used as a storage/staging area for the Brooklyn Bridge rehabilitation project.

With this lot closing, outdoor parking space is dwindling. The other outdoor lots around Dumbo are:

• 66 Sands Street (corner of Sands and Pearl Streets) – $250 per month
• 39 Front Street (at York Street) – $300 per month

There are indoor garage lots at the following (rates listed may change and not guaranteed):

• 85 Adams Street (Beacon Tower $325/mo)
• 50 Washington Street ($350/mo)
• 100 Jay Street (J Condo)
• 21 Front Street
• 20 Jay Street

Please comment on other indoor lots and current monthly rates in Dumbo and I’ll update this list.

Previously:
{Outdoor Parking on Old Fulton to Close, 22Apr2009}
{Dispute at 45 Main Confusing Parkers, 05Dec2008}

If you haven’t followed us on Twitter yet, there’s a lot of buzz about Dumbo’s digital media companies (see @DigitalDumbo), Dumbo’s food news, and real estate news. A few tidbits in the past 24 hours:

• Interview with @mark josephson CEO of @outsidein, hyperlocal news Gelf link (via @gelf)
• Calling all Vans on decks; meet Tony Alva, Steve Caballero, and Steve Van Doren. Vans: Off the Wall Book Signing (Tonight at PowerHouse Arena (via @danielpower))
• The Brooklyn Philharmonic: 1000 sqft leased at 55 Washington St. in Dumbo (broker: Brad Einhorn).
• Finale: City Council will vote on the Dock St Dumbo rezoning application on Wed, Jun 10 at 1:30p, at City Hall.
• Jacques Torres ice cream raised prices after a week $3 to $3.30/scoop. Still worth it. Love the blood orange froyo Menu board image link on Flickr
• @BKIndependentTV Posted ‘Dumbo Eps.9′ to blip.tv: http://blip.tv/file/2205588
• B25 Rerouted: Started on June 1 there was a change in the B25’s bus route. It no longer travels the loop through Front, Main, Water and Furman Streets because of the street reconstruction project there. It will now terminate at the foot of Old Fulton Street. (via @DUMBOBID)

There is a film shoot on Adams and John Streets on Monday, May 11, 200 between 3am and 11pm for a project called “Factory Pictures”. Not sure what that is, but if anyone knows, please leave a comment. Thanks.

Jay Street photo shoot on Sat, April 25, 2009 (Photo courtesy of innuendo)

If you were around Dumbo this weekend, you probably saw a dozen model shoots, wedding photographers (was there a wedding meet-up in Dumbo this weekend?), and filmings. The weather certainly helped, and Dumbo is known for its photography studios, galleries, and is known as the “Photo District”. Speaking of photos, The annual New York Photo Festival 2009 is coming up soon in Dumbo (May 13-17, 2009). There will be lots of great programming and events. We’ll be posting more info about it soon.