Dumbo NYC

In the first video of a 4 part series, TreeHugger founder Graham Hill discusses with Ben Harper the transformation of a parking area in the Pearl Street Triangle into a pedestrian ‘oasis’. The response to the reimagined triangle was met with both praise and criticism for its lack of a permanent ’solution’ for pedestrians with in ground trees and the lack of a cafe. Reopening of the Manhattan Bridge archway should make the triangle more accessible as a pedestrian park. The triangle was the first of about 31 plaza projects to be completed by 2009. The Dumbo Improvement District contributed $25,000 to the project, and the city $20,000.

The Dumbo Improvement District is currently cleaning up the triangle for the spring season. They are also hosting an Earth Day celebration at Jan Larsen Art at the Pearl Street Triangle next Tuesday, April 22 at 6:30-8:30pm as part of their SEED program. “Learn about how Dumbo has gotten “greener” this spring, what’s in store for the neighborhood, & meet your new “green” neighbors!” Drinks & light refreshments will be served. RSVP to jane@dumbonyc.org. More info on their website (dumbonyc.org).

GREEN DEETS 016: Ben Harper 01 from George Spyros on Vimeo.

{Ben Harper — Pearl Street Triangle Re-imagined, 14Apr2008, TreeHugger}
{New Sculptures at Pearl St Triangle, 31Aug07}
{Streetfilms Coverage of Pearl St Triangle, 15Aug07}
{Pearl Street Triangle Unveiling Press Conference, 07Aug07}
{Pearl Street Triangle Moving Quickly, 28Jun07}
{Pearl Street Triangle Plaza Begins Work, 25Jun07}

Recycle-A-Bicycle moved from their 55 Washington Street location to 35 Pearl Street in early December, but had their opening ribbon cutting ceremony celebration last week (January 8). The new location will have a dedicated year round student repair/classroom space. Recycle-A-Bicycle promotes daily bicycle use and runs an environmental education initiative for youths. Last year, they took in approximately 1000 bicycles that would otherwise have entered the waste stream. Congratulations! The Dumbo store is open from Mon-Sat, Noon to 7PM (Not open on Sunday).

 (Photos courtesy of Recycle A Bicycle NYC)

Recycle-A-Bicycle
35 Pearl Street (at Plymouth Street), Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-858-2972

{recycleabicycle.org/shops}
{Recycle-a-Bicycle Relocates in Dumbo, 03Dec2007, Brownstoner}

If you’re still looking for a Christmas tree, you can get them at “Adam’s Vermont Balsam” in the Pearl Street Triangle through Christmas. You have less than a week and a half!

They have organically grown trees, wreaths, and garlands and have new shipments daily. If you’re in the neighborhood, you can get them delivered for free, so you don’t have to deal with having pine needles all over your clothing and/or car. They also sell organic maple syrup, perfect for your holiday morning pancake, waffles, or french toast.

Open daily: 10AM - 9PM at Pearl Street Triangle (Pearl Street between Front and Water Streets)

(Coming Soon: Dumbo’s last-minute shopping guide)

Dumbo Improvment District’s Second Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 29, 2007 at 6:30pm in the Pearl Street Triangle. Last year’s lighting ceremony unveiled a light installation against the Empire Stores with a visit from Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

A few shots of Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher taken at the movie shoot location on Pearl Street in Dumbo Brooklyn yesterday. It was for the filming of “What Happens in Vegas“, for release in 2008. Click photos for larger version:

{What Happens in Vegas Film Shoot in Dumbo on 4Sept07}
{IMDB: What Happens in Vegas}

There are a few new sculptures at the Pearl Street Triangle, including this large metal sculpture pictured above. There are a few other pieces, not easily seen in the photo, such as the wire-frame sculptures of what look like reindeer. I don’t have information about the artists. If anyone knows, please comment below. When I have a chance, I will call the Dumbo Improvement District to see if they have any additional information. Although there are some who have strong opinions against the color of the pavement paint, you have to admit that this plaza is shaping up to be a unique oasis for street sculpture.

Previously:
{Streetfilms Coverage of Pearl St Triangle, 15Aug07}
{Pearl Street Triangle Unveiling Press Conference, 07Aug07}
{Pearl Street Triangle Moving Quickly, 28Jun07}
{Pearl Street Triangle Plaza Begins Work, 25Jun07}

It’s obvious that parking is a touchy issue in NYC, with deeded parking spots going for $225,000 in Manhattan. Dumbo’s spots aren’t quite that high, yet, but in this small neighborhood, a change in parking signs and regulations bring out angry reactions in some. The Dept of Transportation has updated signs overnight, and the repurposing of the Pearl Street Triangle from a parking triangle to a pedestrian park started heated discussions in earlier posts about Pearl St. Triangle beginning work and its progress.

The dozen or so spaces lost to the Pearl Street Triangle have been reclaimed with a few changes in parking regulations in three areas:

1. Pearl Street (Between Plymouth and Water Street) is now a “No Parking Fridays 8-9:30am” area.
2. Pearl Street (Between Front and York Street) is now a “No Parking Fridays 8-9:30am” area.
3. Anchorage Pl (against the Pearl Street Triangle) is now a “2 Hour Parking 9am-7pm except Sun” area.

Below is a rough Google Map that shows their approximate locations (in red). I’ll also try update the map with street regulations. Please check back on the Location page for parking updates with the below GMap.

Parking Restrictions in Dumbo
(Note: The street regulations are regularly updated by the Department of Transportation. Therefore, there is no guarantee that the below map is accurate. It is intended as a general guide. Please check street signs.)


{GMaps View Larger Map}

Streetsfilms.org covered the Dumbo Improvement District’s press conference on August 9 and included the video clip (above):

What once was a triangle on Pearl Street for about two dozen car parking spots has become an oasis of green complete with chairs, tables, umbrellas and art. DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan called the space, “a new living room for the neighborhood.” Although the subway can be a little clanky in the shadow of the Manhattan Bridge, we think that comment couldn’t be more perfect.

{Paint a Parking Lot, Put Up a Paradise, 13Aug07, Streetfilms.org}
Previously: {Pearl Street Triangle Unveiling Press Conference}

From Dumbo Improvement District this morning (10am, 08Aug07):

Dear DUMBO,
Please join us at 12:30pm today for the formal announcement of the Pearl Street Triangle with the New York City Department of Transportation.
We apologize for the any inconveniences that this rescheduling may have caused and look forward to seeing you!

Best wishes,
The Dumbo Improvement District

Previously: {Pearl Street Triangle Unveiling Press Conference}
{Pearl Street Triangle Press Conference Postponed}

[Update: Aug 8 10:30am - Press Conference is Postponed due to the earlier storm.]

 Pearl St. Triangle Before and After, 8/2007 (Source: Dumbo Improvement District) [+ larger]

The Dumbo Improvement District is having a press conference with the City’s Department of Transportation on Wednesday to formally announce the creation of the Pearl Street Triangle in Dumbo. Here’s the press release:

Last winter, the Board of Directors of the Dumbo Improvement District unanimously adopted the BID’s 2007 Strategic Plan which included as one of its first major initiatives the transformation of a parking lot on Pearl Street into a vibrant pedestrian plaza and public art space. I’m happy to say that less than 6 months later this vision has been realized as you can see from the images below and attached.

Next Wednesday, August 8th at 12:30p.m., the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) will hold a press conference to formally unveil the Pearl Street Triangle, as part of their new public plaza initiative. Representatives from the administration will be on hand to hear remarks from DOT Commissioner Sadik-Khan. To accompany the announcement, music will be provided by halcyon the shop and food will be available from Brooklyn’s Brown, a mobile gourmet coffee and sandwich shop that plans to make the new Triangle a regular stop on their weekly route (www.brooklynsbrown.com).

Please join us for the annoucement so we can publicly thank the neighborhood for their assistance in this project and take a first hand look at what we have been able to accomplish. Hope to see you all there!

There are a lot of rumors on this blog about the Pearl Street Triangle, so if you have any questions, you can attend the press conference or post your questions in the comments below. I have one: There’s a rumor that this plaza is a pilot program. Is this true and will it possibly turn into a permanent installation with raised curbs or in-ground trees?

Oh by the way, did anyone else notice the new potted trees on the sidewalk along Pearl St?:

For commenter whosincharge?, it’s not in-ground trees, but it’s a start. That raises another question: Will there be in-ground trees along the sidewalk?

Previously:
{Pearl Street Triangle Moving Quickly, 28Jun07}
{Pearl Street Triangle Plaza Begins Work, 25Jun07}
{Pearl Street Triangle Survey, 28Mar07}