The old photo above, courtesy of New York City Municipal Archives, from 1908 of Manhattan Bridge shows the bridge under construction. 870,000 photographs of New York and its municipal operations have been made public for the first time on the internet. The city Department of Records officially announced the debut of the photo database yesterday.

Above is one of the photos that was released (on Yahoo News):

“In this June 5, 1908 photo provided by the New York City Municipal Archives, the superstructure from the Manhattan Bridge rises above Washington Street in New York. Over 870,000 photos from an archive that exceeds 2.2 million images have been scanned and made available online, for the first time giving a global audience a view of a rich collection that documents life in New York City. (AP Photo/New York City Municipal Archives, Department of Bridges/Plant & Structures, Eugene de Salignac)”

Construction of the Manhattan Bridge started in 1901 and was open to traffic at the end of 1909. This view looking down Washington Street is a well known one. This 1908 photo also shows the buildings on Plymouth Street, which still stand today (left one is 30 Washington Street and right one is 25 Washington Street).

Here’s another image of the photo from 1908, 1974, and 2009.

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{Dumbo Then and Now, series, DumboNYC}

Starting on October 1, the city is required to keep data on bicycle accidents. According to the latest data betweeen 1996 and 2005, there were 11 pedestrian deaths as a result of crashes with cyclists. From 1996 to 2003, there were 12,412 non-fatal accidents between bikers and pedestrians. “Pedestrian Traffic Managers” have been stationed on the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge until 7pm daily, hired by the city to keep bridge walkers safe (for $38/hr per the Brooklyn Independent Television clip above).

Will bicyclists and pedestrians on the Brooklyn Bridge and other East River crossings get along better?

(via BRIC Arts Media)

Cool photo of the Manhattan Bridge by Josh Derr from a rooftop in Dumbo. The left building is 85 Adams Street and the right is 100 Jay Street.

Check out Josh’s photography work on his Flickr page.

Notice from NYC DOT Division of Bridges:
The Manhattan Bridge Rehabilitation Program continues with Contract No. 14, which will involve re-wrapping the four main cables, replacement of all 628 bridge suspenders, and replacement of the bridge’s necklace lighting. Contract No. 14’s anticipated completion date is June, 2013.

All work is planned in coordination with the Brooklyn Bridge Rehabilitation Program to minimize traffic and other disruptions as much as possible. Over spring 2011, the project is moving forward with:

• Replacement of suspenders
• Re-wrapping the main cable
• Preventive maintenance

Bicycle and Pedestrian Detours in 2011
During Contract No. 14, access to the bridge will always be maintained for cyclists and pedestrians. However, some detours will be necessary in order to provide adequate worker protection, and the riding and walking public. Detours will be announced and marked in advance.

If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please contact me at (347) 325-1622 or at manhattanbridgeoutreach@gmail.com. Thank you.

{The Spring 2011 newsletter (pdf 617kb}

(For those of you with iPhone4s (iOS4.1), the above pics were taken with and without HDR turned on. The left one with HDR and the right is the original.) Another pic after the jump.

Once a parking lot and illegal dumping site, the DUMBO BID with NYC DOT, opened the transformed Pearl Street Triangle on August 8, 2007, complete with its signature bright green paint, street furniture and public art features as a temporary treatment to gage the community’s response and usage of the space. In the three years since, the DUMBO BID is looking towards future uses of the public space and hopes that this competition will spur some thought on how the Pearl Street Triangle should evolve as an innovative and functional public space for Dumbo.

They showcased 8 design proposals in May. Last night, the DUMBO BID announced the winner of the Pearl Street Triangle “Ideas Competition.” The winner was by Brendan Coburn, AIA of Coburn Architecture (based at 45 Main Street) and his project designers, Yuliya Ilizarov and Abdou Ndoye titled “The Tracks: Ride the Rails!”

Project Name: The Tracks: Ride the Rails!
Description: The Tracks plaza takes it’s inspiration from the myriad of rail lines that at one time weaved their way through the industrial streets of DUMBO. As these tracks emerge from beneath the pavement surrounding the triangle they become the armature for a series of tiered seats that wind through the site to create three amphitheater-like spaces: the first, facing the Manhattan Bridge, is delineated by seating for films projected onto the masonry wall that encloses the arch beneath the bridge; the second, a performance and display space enclosed by two opposing tiers; and the third, where a low tier hugs a series of in-ground fountains. Shallow alcoves are molded underneath the higher tiers, welcoming local artists to display their creations.

All of the submissions were interesting and had a different spin on the use of the public space. There was even one that proposed adding a subway stop at the Manhattan Bridge anchor above the Triangle with an elevator/stairs down below. How do you think the space should be used? Other submissions after the jump.

Project Name: Synergy of Movement and Connectivity
Description: Entering Dumbo and the triangle is to enter a place that was created before cars, and it remains staunchly rooted in that past. The Triangle is alive with the phantom energy of that past industriousness. The energy is palpable and modern-day people flock there to experience the vibe. Our design concept is born of this vibe and energy. Our triangle works with the textures and patterns wrought from the steel rails and bridge; the stone streets and bridge and phantom energies of the men who once worked this street hauling materials to manufacture products, excavating earth to erect this massive bridge.

Project Name: Pearl Street Triangle Project
Description: FUNCTIONAL: The Triangle Design is intended to be used. Most every part is occupy-able for specific use or provides a space for improvised use. DURABLE: The Triangle Design is constructed by masonry, concrete, and steel. It is an all weather shell that will require little maintenance and stand up to the elements. The interior is open air although it can easily be retrofitted to be climate controlled. SPECTACLE: The tiered seating is intended to be used by any number of groups and persons but most of all it is intended to simply imply an audience for watching everyday activities.

Project Name: Pearl Street Piano

Description: This design utilizes the natural shape of the Pearl Street Triangle and transform it into the world’s largest interactive piano/fountain/park. The benches and trees provide a comfortable, safe and fun social area. Adults and children will enjoy the larger than life and educational piano. When a person steps on a note, it will make a sound (think, the movie “Big” but…bigger). During hot summer days, kids will play in music note shaped water jet fountain. During summer nights, the fountain lights up in vibrant 110 York Street colors. We were inspired by Jay-Z, music and art, nature and Dumbo features.

Project Name: Embedded Crossroads
Description: The Pearl Street Triangle is a bare bones pocket park. As a street level pedestrian space reclaimed from a parking lot it is a veritable tabula rasa– literally outlined. This blank slate is begging to be etched and folded to better harbor central community activites and lively gatherings. Embedded Crossroads concretizes the triangles current occupational tendencies by augmenting pedestrian infrastructure. Human scaled vertical elements interplay with adjustments to Dumbo’s existing surface vernacular– blurring edges while defining pedestrian space for crossing and inhabiting. While planters, benches, a wall, and surface textures suggest certain modes of pedestrian habitation, the space remains ultimately adaptable.

Project Name: DUMB-O Triangle
Description: The DUMB-O Triangle proposal highlights the unique character of the neighborhood by creating a contemporary and contextual open plaza. The introduction of Google Maps has provided a new language for navigating our world. The desolate but central location of the Pearl Street Triangle demands a new identity. Our proposal aims to address both the physical and virtual inhabitants of the space. At eye level, the physical structure defines a modern day piazza, a space for social gathering. Seen from space, the DUMB-O triangle becomes a graphic marker for the center of historic Dumbo.

Project Name: Anchoring Dumbo
Description: What a thrill to descend from the Belvedere of the Manhattan Bridge, 90 feet above Dumbo on your bicycle and arrive in the newly conceived Dumbo Anchorage Square. Or walking from the pedestrian path of the Manhattan Bridge from Chinatown, and descending wide stairs with landings, similar to SOHO fire escapes, that allow visitors to linger and take in the waterfront vistas of Dumbo and the Manhattan skyline beyond. Below the street, visitors can partake in the spontaneous and organized events in the Square, travel to the water’s edge at the Empire Fulton Ferry Park, or visit the various cafes, shops and stores in Dumbo.

Project Name: Access + Connection = Innovation
Description: The proposed design establishes connections between Dumbo and the surrounding urban fabric by 3 methods which culminate the Pearl Street Triangle: (1) Create a subway stop on the Manhattan Bridge and connecting it to the Pearl Street Triangle w/ elevators and a ramp. The ramp is programmed w/ bike storage, lockers, restrooms, showers, and a viewing platform. (2) Close off Anchorage Place to create a public plaza which may be seen as an extension and an entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge Park. The public plaza is designed integrally with the ramp to the subway stop and creates a node in the city fabric. (3) Create a “Commercial Corridor” beneath the Manhattan Bridge, guiding pedestrian traffic into the heart of Dumbo.

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Also: Bold vision for Pearl Street Triangle in DUMBO, 22Jun2010, NYP

As we previously posted, the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) started work in Dumbo – water and sewer enhancements and the Department of Transportation (DOT) started the renovation projects for both bridges that anchor our neighborhood- the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge. We received the latest report today from the DDC on the street reconstruction in Dumbo. The construction work is on-time and scheduled to be completed in the Summer 2011. (See PDF newsletter).

Separately, the DOT has been preparing for the Brooklyn Bridge facelift- a new paint job, deck resurfacing, and rehabilitation and widening of the bridge’s ramps and approaches. The $500million, 4 year project will begin in June. The $150million Manhattan Bridge construction will “replace all of the vertical suspension cables on the 100-year-old Manhattan Bridge and will cause sporadic weekend disruptions in subway service and require closings of the bikeway and some traffic lanes for parts of the next four years”.

Several roads (Water Street from Adams to Old Fulton Streets and Washington Street from York to Plymouth Streets) are being dug up to install water and sewer mains so the area has updated infrastructure. The crews and their vehicles are staged in two locations under the Brooklyn Bridge – near the intersection of Front St and York and in the lot next to Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park. Work is scheduled to continue through 2011 for the street reconstruction project. They are hard at work, but some residents are not happy that they start before the permitted start time of 7am, with refueling and moving of equipment starting as early as 6:15am and also occurring on Saturdays, when work is not allowed. If you have any difficulties or questions about the work, you can contact the following:

DOT Liaison for water and sewer work. Oversees Tully Construction, the contractor that parks their vehicles at Front and York.
Paul Kidder 718.643.2768

DOT Liaison for Brooklyn Bridge work.
Sabrina Lau 347.647.0876

DOT Liaison for Manhattan Bridge work.
Teresa Toro 347.325.1622

The contact number for Tully is 718.446.7000 ext 8. Fred Hartman is the manager for the work in Dumbo.

Residents “welcome that funding has been secured to update our roads and bridges, but parking and traffic on the bridge will be a challenge for the next few years.” We have noticed a lot less parking spots on the streets, so visitors and residents will have to park in lots or even park in neighboring areas such as Vinegar Hill and downtown Brooklyn. With street and bridge construction (and Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park reconstruction), it’s a wonder how many visitors still visit Dumbo.

Previously:
{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}

(Photo courtesy of bekka p. from the DumboNYC Flickr Pool. If you have your own pictures related to Dumbo, please feel free to drop them there.)

(Photo courtesy of Josh Derr from the DumboNYC Flickr Pool. If you have your own pictures related to Dumbo, please feel free to drop them there.)

According to a NY Post story, the noisiest places in NYC are on the F, V, B, D platform in Bryant Park (93 decibels), the corner of 42nd and 5th Ave (87 dBA), West Side Highway (83 dBA), or Herald Square (78 dBA). WHAT?! Maybe the people who did the study didn’t go outside of Manhattan, because supposedly, the noise level is between 80 dBA and up to 96 dBA under the Manhattan Bridge in Dumbo.

{Noisiest spots in NYC ranked, 04Jan2010, NY Post}
{The Top 8 Noisiest Places in NYC, Gothamist}
{Soundproofing Windows in Dumbo, 03Dec2007}

His visions come to life under his brush with out his using models. Sudden appearances resulting from his intercultural journeys, which have impregnated him with indelible words, mental photographs, feelings of torment ….”

Viewing will begin at 7 p.m.

Manhattan Bridge Fast Facts
Type of bridge: Suspension
Construction started: October 1, 1901
Opened to traffic: December 31, 1909
Length of main span: 1,470 ft.
Total length of bridge including approaches: 6,855 ft.
Location: Connects Flatbush Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn with Canal Street in Chinatown
Clearance at center above mean high water: 135 ft.
Diameter of each of the four main cables: 21.25 ins.
Length of each of the four main cables: 3,224 ft.
Cost of original structure: $31,000,000

Press Release (PDF)

To commemorate the 100th birthday of the Manhattan Bridge, Random Number is presenting “Bright Nights” has “curated a program of digital artwork that celebrates the projected image, draws attention to the iconic architecture of the Manhattan Bridge, and electrifies the arts friendly DUMBO neighborhood.” Please join them tonight in Dumbo, Brooklyn to see the work of Burak Arikan, Motomichi Nakamura, Lee Wells, and Marius Watz projected onto the Manhattan Bridge Anchorage (Adams & Front Street side.)

October 7, 2009 / 7 pm – 10 pm

For more information on the artists and the event, go to RandomNumber.nu.

Although The Archway has been open for some time, the Dumbo Improvement District has completed their ‘beautification’ with lighting, benches, and street improvements. Wooden benches have been added and the lighting has been installed and painted black. The images above show the architect’s rendering and the actual photo from last week’s Superstar DJ Record Fair. The end results look very similar to what was envisioned. While the Dumbo Improvement District has completed The Archway improvements, they will continue to support the longer-term restoration of the archway, maintenance, and programming costs. We’re looking forward to more events under The Archway.

(Apologies for borrowing the idea of rendering/reality, as pointed out by Curbed’s post about The Archway)

related:
{Manhattan Bridge Archway Opens in Dumbo, 08Sep2008}
{Manhattan Bridge Arch Now Open Permanently, 20Apr2009}