Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass - DUMBO for short - is coming of age.
Some say it has already made it, eclipsing many of Brooklyn's premier neighborhoods. The days of cheap artist lofts and workspaces are fading fast, with multi-million dollar condos and coops sprouting all over the gritty cobblestoned landscape. When Starbucks arrived, the locals knew the neighborhood was in for a roller coaster ride.
Onto the scene, a newcomer has arrived to try to bring some order into the wave of businesses and the problems associated with unbridled growth. The formation of the DUMBO Improvement District is seen by many as a major step forward in the development of DUMBO.
Tucker Reed, the Improvement District's inaugural Executive Director, comes from a small business background, having owned a cafe in Maine. Most recently, he was a senior adviser for New York City's Department of Small Business Services.
"The thing about DUMBO is its amazing diversity," said Reed. "It is a destination village within the city. It has critically acclaimed off-Broadway theatre, a gym where Robert DeNiro trained for 'Raging Bull,' well known art galleries and furniture makers, and a guy doing world-renowned stained glass restoration. It needs to be explored."
Its charm is also one of its biggest problems. The area's fast-paced growth is a double edged sword. New residents and businesses appear as quickly as renovations and new construction are completed, overwhelming the infrastructure. The architecture of DUMBO was created for a shipping economy. Cobblestone streets askew, failed sewers, flooding -- nothing has been repaired in a hundred years and even parking is a major issue.
These are the issues that the Improvement District is faced with. With no formal authority, it will act as an advocate to bring issues to the attention of the city agencies that can fix the problems.
DUMBO already has a lead in outdoor space. Brooklyn Bridge Park and Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park shine on the waterfront. The addition of free wireless in Brooklyn Bridge Park, one of the first initiatives of the DUMBO Improvement District, has added a new dynamic for the businesses located in DUMBO. The views along the waterfront are "to die for" and the towering Brooklyn Bridge adds an urban connection to downtown Manhattan.
When Brooklyn Bridge Park becomes a reality, more visitors will cross the bridge from Manhattan to enjoy the reclaimed waterfront. One of the first views of DUMBO is theTobacco Warehouse and the Empire Stores building. While no one knows what will become of the Stores, the Tobacco Warehouse is now a premier outdoor entertainment venue within the park. When you add in St. Anns Warehouse, DUMBO's draw in the performance community is becoming world class.
St. Ann's Warehouse moved to DUMBO in 2001 after spending its first 21 years at the Church of St. Ann and the Holy Trinity on Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights. The converted spice-milling warehouse on Water Street has hosted David Bowie, Laurie Anderson, The Wooster Group, Al Pacino and more in their versatile space. The new season, which opens in October, includes a World Premiere of "Lou Reed's Berlin," William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" by The Wooster Group, and the Live American Debut of Stuart A. Staples.
The Tobacco Warehouse in Brooklyn Bridge Park is unique among outdoor venues. When you first approach the structure in Empire-Fulton Ferry Park, it evokes the feeling of an unfinished church or the Welsh ruins of an abbey. Built in 1870 by the Lorillard family and saved from destruction in 1998, the former tobacco customs inspection center is now used for performances, concerts, special events, and even weddings. With the Brooklyn Bridge looming above its roofless walls, the 25,000 square feet space offers a magnificent urban oasis for any event.
Each summer, "Movies with a View" draws thousands to the grassy knoll beneath the bridge for its summer series of film in what many call the greatest outdoor movie theatre in America. With the screen placed on the water's edge, the Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan serve as the back wall of the theatre. The theme-based selection of films run on Thursdays during July and August. This year, a special double feature is available on September 22nd! See HAPPENINGS for more details.
This fall, the park is hosting the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition 24th Annual Sculpture Show throughout the grounds titled "Garden of Earthly Delights" through October 13, 2006. The unique outdoor show spans the city and state park with works by 29 artists.
Coinciding with the end of the Sculpture Show, the tenth annual d.u.m.b.o art under the bridge festival takes place October 13 to 15 with roving performances, live art, water art (in, on, over, under, onshore and offshore), video DUMBO showcasing new work of video artists and Project Glow, light installations to illuminate the waterfront and Brooklyn Bridge Park. See HAPPENINGS for more details.
The BK Fashion Weekend makes its return to the Tobacco Warehouse for The Spring 2007 Shows, held from October 20 to 22, 2006, featuring 19 Brooklyn designers. Following its debut in May, the event received unprecedented acclaim and coverage from the fashion press. The three day extravaganza, presented by the BK Style Foundation, a non profit geared to funding and promoting young designers, showcases Brooklyn designers in runway fashion shows that rival Bryant Park. More than 3000 attendees descended on the tent under the Brooklyn Bridge for the inaugural weekend including the leaders of the fashion press.
Brooklyn's fascination with the arts and design is no longer a local phenomenon. Brooklyn artists and designers are gaining a worldwide audiences. The local developers are aware of DUMBO's standing in the arts and have made offers to keep the art community in DUMBO by offering gallery and performance spaces, and using art installations in public lobbies.. A new city Deptartment of Housing, Preservation, and Development program was just announced to help artists purchase spaces when a conversion happens in their buildings.
Two Trees, DUMBO's largest developer, has been a strong supporter of the arts. In June, the company began sponsorship of First Thursday, a program linking area galleries and artists together in a Gallery Walk. With more than 30 participants, the monthly event continues through November. Visit HAPPENINGS for a map and listing.
With no where to go but up, DUMBO has a great deal to offer. One of the neighborhoods greatest selling points is its presence. The majestic buildings and the old city character.
Luke Constantino
Commercial | Residential
RE/MAX at THE SLOPE
Direct: (212) 300-3919 | Fax: (360) 368-0098
http://LukeConstantino.com
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