Dumbo
April 29, 2008
Jehovah's Witnesses Volunteers Try Their Hands At City Park
The Watchtower Bible Tract Society, one of the Jehovah's Witnesses' legal entities, is nearing the design phase for Bridge Park 2 in Dumbo, a two-acre, city-owned park the Society agreed to restore in exchange for favorable zoning at 85 Jay Street. Back in 2004, the city approved a zoning variance for the Society to build on its large parking lot an 800,000-square-foot building with a 1,600-seat cafeteria, 2,500-seat assembly hall, 1,100-space public parking garage and 1,000 apartments. Of course that was before the Society began divesting its Brooklyn properties, so far selling nearly 300 apartments in four buildings and 360 Furman Street (now One Brooklyn Bridge Park) for a total of $195.1 million, according to city property records. Another 263 apartments in six buildings are on the market, including the Hotel Bossert, which one broker predicted would sell for at least $100 million.
Tucker Reed, head of the Dumbo Business Improvement District, was at a "listening session" held last week to solicit ideas for the new park. He said the Parks Department and Society have taken this long to reach an agreement on park construction. The Parks Department is used to getting a check from developers; the Jehovah's Witnesses do everything possible in-house through their world-wide network of volunteers. "We're an all-volunteer organization and we function on funds that are voluntarily donated by people, and so we want to make the best use of our resources," said Watchtower spokesman Richard Devine. Volunteers would do everything from designing to constructing the park, he said, sometimes flying in "from all over the country" if someone local doesn't have the expertise for the job. And since they believe in the Doctrine of Cleanliness, at least we know it will look perfect.
The proposed renovations in the original agreement included rehabilitation of a baseball field with artificial turf, an existing playground, seating area, landscaping and reopening the comfort station. "I think the community is looking at this to be a more active park than the Brooklyn Bridge Park, which is more walking and sitting and beautiful scenery," said Devine.
So does that mean the Watchtower Society is going to get started on its massive four-tower building? "We're not going to move forward in the near future but I wouldn't say we're never going to build," said Devine. Brooklyn Heights will still be the Jehovah's Witnesses' world headquarters as the hub of its editorial and administrative staff, he said. But, as has been well-reported, the Society moved its printing and shipping operations upstate and overseas, along with many of its support services (The headquarters is nearly a self-sustaining society. Volunteers support each other by proving everything from cleaning, cooking, laundry, window washing, electrical work and drape making). Devine said after they sold 360 Furman, they stopped making their own ink for the millions of publications and bibles they print in several languages. "We are consolidating quite a bit. In fact, the rezoning of 85 Jay really gave us the confidence to go ahead and move forward with consolidation," he said.
The only thing is, if 85 Jay Street is built as planned, with nearly double the apartments sold or on the market, the Society would be expanding its operations in the Heights, not consolidating, unless it sells off nearly all of its remaining residential properties. But alas, that's all we get for now from Devine, who must also believe in the Doctrine of Suspense. As usual, never a dull moment over at the Watchtower!
Watchtower Divestment Continues: The Bossert on the Block [Brownstoner]
Brooklyn’s Fabled Hotel Bossert on Market [Brooklyn Eagle]
Watchtower to Sell 6 Brooklyn Heights Properties [Brooklyn Eagle]
April 23, 2008
Development Watch: 181 York Street
We've been wondering for a while whether anyone was going to try to build on the empty lots across from the Farragut Houses on York Street in Vinegar Hill. We now know the answer: Yes. A six-story, 10-unit Bricolage-designed building is currently rising on the lot at 181 York Street. Given the proximity to the projects and the point in the market cycle, we'd be betting on rentals over condos, but, hey, you never know. After all, another developer thought the residential possibilities on this stretch were compelling enough to merit tearing down a church. GMAP P*Shark DOB
April 22, 2008
Waterfall Art Project Coming to Life Under the Bridge
Construction has begun on what is sure to be the public art project of the year, according to the reader who snapped this photo of the base of the Brooklyn Bridge last night. Over the next few weeks, one of the four waterfalls designed by the Danish artist Olafur Eliasson will be built under the Brooklyn side of the Bridge. Funded by $15 million in private donations to New York's Public Art Fund, the New York City Waterfalls project is expected to generate $55 million in revenues from tourism.
April 16, 2008
Closing Bell: Spring Planting on Front Street
The beautification of Dumbo continues. In addition to the Tom Otterness sculpture at Washington and Prospect, a ton of new blossoming trees have been planted over the last week on Front Street.
April 15, 2008
Closing Bell: Otterness In Situ
The Tom Otterness sculpture that we previewed last week is now on display at the corner of Washington and Prospect. A nod to the all the "pioneers" of Dumbo perhaps?
April 11, 2008
Tony Soprano Doing Dumbo?
While Liv Tyler may be passing on Brooklyn, it's looking like James Gandolfini may be putting down roots in the borough. He's been spotted on a number of occasions recently in Dumbo. Yesterday, the Sopranos star was out walking his dog and grabbing a coffee on Front Street, according to the tipster who sent these photos in. A search of property records yields nothing. Theories?
April 7, 2008
Closing Bell: Tom Otterness Comes to Dumbo
The above instillation by Tom Otterness, a former Dumbo artist (he relocated to Gowanus) probably most recognized from his work at the 14 Street subway station, will be on view in Dumbo at the intersection of Prospect and Washington streets until Jan. 4, 2009. The sculpture, about 7 feet tall, is sponsored by Two Trees Management and the Dumbo Improvement Association.
Condo of the Day: 79 Bridge Street
We've always been curious about this building at 79 Bridge Street in Vinegar Hill. From what we can tell, the Scarano-designed conversion happened in 2003. (Pains were clearly taken to preserve some of the exterior structure and brickwork.) There has not been a lot of turnover in the past couple of years, which might explain why we have not had occasion to post about it before. This 796-square-foot unit has outdoor space and is asking $679,000. A similar-sized unit on the fourth floor sold for $580,000 about a year ago. From what we can see in the photos, it's a perfectly attractive, if somewhat unremarkable, interior. Anyone know anything about this building?
79 Bridge Street [Craigslist] GMAP P*Shark
March 25, 2008
Condo of the Day: 206 Front Street
About nine months after closing on her second-floor one-bedroom at the Vista at 206 Front Street in Vinegar Hill, the broker who owns it is looking to cash in her chips and move on. While the exact closing price is unclear, the 540-square-foot apartment was originally listed for $370,530. So what's the asking price less than a year later? $485,000. Seems like a stretch to us.
206 Front Street, #2D [NY Times] GMAP P*Shark
The Vista and J Condo Get Their TCOs [Brownstoner]
March 24, 2008
Closing Bell: Fading Glory of the Dumbo Triangle
It seems like just yesterday (okay, so it was last July) that the DOT was christening the former parking median in Dumbo with its signature green paint as part of a makeover into a lunchtime park. Eight months later, the paint job isn't holding up too well but we think the aged patina could be considered an improvement. What's next, astroturf?
Dumbo Triangle Gets DOT's Signature Green Paint [Brownstoner] GMAP
Dumbo Pedestrian Plaza Project On Record Pace [Brownstoner]
Less Parking, More Sitting for Dumbo [Brownstoner]