Dumbo NYC

(Photo by Jason Fleitz)

In today’s edition of the Brooklyn Paper online, the police report writes that cops are searching for two perps who attacked at least 3 victims along the Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge footpaths last week. A cop source said that the victims are reporting similar descriptions of two tall young men in dark sweatshirts in each incident:

• Manhattan Bridge path near Plymouth Street: Two perps attacked a cyclist on Nov. 4. “The perps pushed the victim off his bike at around 2:30 pm, just as one pulled out his gun and said, “Get up against the wall and give me your money.”"
• Two perps attacked another cyclist on the same path near Flatbush Avenue Extension on Nov. 5. The two perps came up behind the man, who only speaks Mandarin, and pushed him to the ground. One punched the victim in the face, while the other demanded cash and said, “Money, money, money.” The victim forked over $300.
• Two thugs mugged a man on the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian path on Nov. 4, making off with his cellphone, iPod and briefcase. As the perps approached the man, who was nearing the Washington Street exit, one punched him in the face while the other said, “Give me your money.” The victim tried to fight, and ended up cutting his hand.

 (Photo by Henry N. Seymour, Cazenovia, NY)

We’ve all seen countless photos and photographers take shots of the Manhattan Bridge from Washington Street. This one is from a visitor who send us his photo after a rainy evening in June. The lit up Empire State Building is nicely framed in the archway under the bridge. Thanks Henry for the photo.

The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Dumbo Improvement District held a press conference this morning to announce the opening of the Manhattan Bridge Archway in Dumbo, a joint project of both groups with Rogers Marvel Architects and Jim Conti Lighting Design. Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Borough President Marty Markowitz, and DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, among others attended.

The opening of the archway is one of the initiatives of the Dumbo Improvement District and will be opened in two stages. The public space has been closed for 17 years and previously occupied by DOT’s Division of Bridges for the cutting and storage of metal needed for bridge projects. Today marked the “soft opening” at which point the Improvement District will keep the Archway open to the public as a pedestrian thoroughfare and plaza, locking the gates at night. The archway will be further beautified with lighting, benches, and to remove the asphalt to reveal the Belgian blocks and will be open 24 hours upon completion to coincide with the Manhattan Bridge’s 100th birthday in 2009. This fall, the Dumbo Improvement District will continue to fundraise, to support the longer-term restoration of the archway, maintenance, and programming costs. The Dumbo Improvement District’s annual fundraiser, Dumbo Fight Night 2008, will be held on October 2, 2008. As Marty Markowitz stated in his speech, he envisions events with tables, benches, and exhibitions in the 8,000 square foot archway once the restoration is fully completed.

 Rogers Marvel’s rendering of the completed Archway

From the DumboNYC Flickr Photo pool, another great HDR shot from Josh. The shot was taken at dusk on Sunday:

(Photo by Josh Derr)

{Video Art Project on Manhattan Bridge Anchorage, 07Mar2008}

The Dumbo Improvement District is working with the Brooklyn Arts Council and the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), bringing a temporary public art project, “Applied Kinetics,” a video art project that projects a large screen on the Manhattan Bridge anchorage at Front and Adams Street. Dumbo’s Leo Kuelbs has curated Brazilian video-artist, Adriana Varella for this project. It was a cool sight to see the whole anchorage wall (pictured above) lit up last night showing the video installation.

Thursday, March 6th-Sunday, March 9th
Dusk-11:00 p.m.

Press release after the jump.
Read the rest of this entry »

 Photo courtesy of innuendo, Dec 2, 2007

Stay warm everyone!

 (Photo: DumboNYC)

A NY Times article on Sunday by C.J. Hughes gave mention to Dumbo’s J Condo at 100 Jay Street. C.J. Hughes writes about the increase of E Zones in NYC. “In 2007, 16 E zones were created, involving hundreds of blocks, versus four zones in 1996.” E zoning designation, typically means that it abuts a busy nonresidential area and that developers must take extra noise-abatement steps. Both J Condo and Beacon Tower are new condo developments in Dumbo that abuts the Manhattan Bridge on opposite sides. J Condo hired soundproofing consultants, Architectural Testing to minimize the bridge noise. Beacon Tower at 85 Adams Street hired Shen Milsom Wilke, a New York-based acoustical design firm, to evaluate and measure the site noise. Their windows feature heavy panes of laminated glass separated by eight inches of air space and rubber gaskets, to dramatically reduce the sound levels. According to Shen Milsom Wilke, it was found that sound levels intermittently peaked at 96 dBA due predominantly to the train passing by every few minutes at the 5th floor level.

With the proximity to the Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, most of Dumbo is noisy, and many existing buildings have been around before zoning required extra noise-abatement steps. If you don’t live in one of the two new high-rises, you still have options for a quiet night at home or at your business. Two companies that soundproof windows in the Dumbo area are Cityproof and Citiquiet. I’ve spoken to several residents of Dumbo who have hired both to install soundproofing windows. In most cases, window frames that match the existing windows are installed in the framing or behind the exterior window, leaving alternating layers of air and thick glass. Ordering custom windows typically take 6-10 weeks for delivery, but installation takes a few hours. (Photo of installed soundproofing window above). Based on personal experience and talking with residents of J Condo, Beacon Tower and residents who soundproofed other older apartments, the windows make a huge difference. Walking into one of these apartments make one forget that there are any cars or subways outside of these apartments. One side effect of soundproofing — you notice more of your interior noise such as a noisy refrigerator and central fan while exterior street noise is kept out.

Cityproof
(718) 786-1600, Christopher Ulrich
www.cityproof.com

Citiquiet
(212) 874-5362, Marc Cohen
www.citiquiet.com

{Louder Life, Thicker Windows, 02Dec2007, NYTimes}

 Clocktower (From the clock in One Main Street), Photo courtesy of Sam Rohn - Location Scout

The photo taken from Washington Street at Front Street in Dumbo Brooklyn is one of the most photogenic and the most often shot taken by photographers who visit the area. I’ve seen (and taken) so many versions of these photos, but every one is unique in their own way. Below are three very distinct and among our favorite photos taken by different photographers:

 ”Under The Bridge”, Manhattan Bridge from Washington Street, Dumbo Brooklyn (Photo courtesy of Sergei.y)

 ”Dumbo”, Manhattan Bridge from Washington Street, Dumbo Brooklyn (Photo courtesy of theronin)

 ”Manhattan Bridge from DUMBO”, Manhattan Bridge from Washington Street, Dumbo Brooklyn (Photo courtesy of With_L0ve)