Anti-Carousel Agitation in Dumbo
We thought this was settled but, according to a Post article last night, some local groups are still trying to derail a plan to move Jane’s Carousel, an immaculately restored 1920s model, to a prime spot in Empire State-Fulton Ferry Park and house it in a new Jean Nouvel-designed glass pavilion. The project, which was…
We thought this was settled but, according to a Post article last night, some local groups are still trying to derail a plan to move Jane’s Carousel, an immaculately restored 1920s model, to a prime spot in Empire State-Fulton Ferry Park and house it in a new Jean Nouvel-designed glass pavilion. The project, which was approved in December after many months of behind-the-scenes maneuvering, would be funded by a $3.45 million donation from Jane and David Walentas at a time when the park is still trying to figure out how to fund its completion. But four local groups—the Dumbo Neighborhood Association, the Fulton Ferry Landing Association, the Vinegar Hill Association and Brooklyn Bridge Park Defense Fund—all don’t like the approved location and all have their own ideas for where the carousel should ago. “We all love the carousel,” said DNA’s Doreen Gallo. “We just think it belongs in another part of Brooklyn Bridge Park.” Meanwhile, Judi Francis of the Park Defense Fund is worried that the world class architect’s design will be too modern for the park. Legitimate concerns or a bunch of whining?
Civic Groups Fighting Carousel for DUMBO Park [NY Post]
Jane’s Carousel a Go for Brooklyn Bridge Park [Brownstoner]
Jane’s Carousel Bound for Brooklyn Bridge Park [Brownstoner]
Repeating most of what I wrote on the BHB:
Jane and David Walentas have wanted the carousel to be at that exact location since they bought it in Ohio in 1984. His grandiose plan for the waterfront, called Fulton Landing, was detailed in this cover story of the May 27, 1985 edition of New York magazine:
http://books.google.com/books?id=ybUBAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32&lpg=PA32
The carousel is discussed in the last two paragraphs of the article, and can be seen in the photo of the model of the project on page 37. While you are there, notice that the beautiful cove area was planned to be a marina, and what is now park and “beach” under the Manhattan Bridge was to be restaurants and stores.
Walentas resurrected this plan in 1999, but made it even more commercial. This is David speaking at a presentation on April 24, 2000: “The third major piece to our plan is the redevelopment of the City-owned parking lot by the Manhattan Bridge. For that Jean Nouvel has designed we think on of the great new modern buildings anywhere, which is a 250-room hotel with a 16-screen multiplex at the base… There are two parking garages planned under the bridges. Under the Brooklyn Bridge is currently a DGS garage, Department of General Services garage…that would be replaced by a thousand-car garage. And another garage under the Manhattan Bridge.”
So, do read the article and know the history of this man and this waterfront area. The neighboring community associations (I am distancing myself from the Defense Fund folks and their agenda) do not object to the carousel placed in Brooklyn Bridge Park, or to the modernness of the Nouvel design. What we object to is the gift of the carousel with STRINGS attached (I must be able to see it from my window). The cove is full of shoreline birds that visit the area, and it is unique as an educational resource, as well as an astounding experience. With a carousel placed at the water’s edge, the experience of this habitat type and its creatures, whether for enjoyment or for education, will be seriously compromised and diminished.
And when you imagine what the Nouvel building housing the carousel will look like at that location, think also of the fact that had the surrounding communities not fought the Walentas plan in 1999, we would have a movie multiplex and a parking garage where a park and accessible shoreline exist today.
Minard, I think you mean BANANA – build absolutely nothing anywhere near anyone (Henry Stearn). Well, that is actually not quite fair. What they object to, mostly, is the location, a nice spot in the tip of the cove, near the knoll and the tallest trees, a favorite spot and vista. This construction will very much change the look of that piece of the park. And yes, the carousel could be located in many other places in the park, but that is not what Jane wanted, and she is funding it as well as a refurbishment of the Empire State Park. Tough to turn that down.
Then there is also the long standing animosity between some local residents and Two Trees. Ironically, you will find that there folks who object to this project but supported the Two Trees Dock Street 20 plus story project.
Anyway, I hope they execute well – The Nouvel hotel that Two Trees proposed on the other side of the cove in 1998 was stunning, but also in the wrong place. Didn’t happen. This will. This could be another Pyramid.
The DUMBO folks are not just NIMBY, they are like ultra-orthodox NIMBY. They don’t want anything anywhere anywho.
They are the only neighborhood that publicly fought against a new playground. It’s a funny place down there.
Though perhaps by going around and around and not getting anywhere is a clever joke about the nature of carousels.
“Now they’ll complain about something nice, and blame each other while nothing happens for budget reasons.”
Sounds just like Congress, Ringo.
DUMBO is the new TRIBECA.
I think of DUMBO has being NIMBY in the sense that they don’t want view out THEIR window blocked. But this would increase the value of their homes. I really don’t get it.
The park is nice, because it’s open space. Open space is a commodity in New York City.
I’m not sure where they’re planning on putting the carousel, but if it will take away open grassy space, I’d be against it.
Let her keep her pet project in her own building.
Courtesy of the Hollies (sorry, I couldn’t make the Joni Mitchell work)
Relocating a carousel,
tryin’ to protect the view
Moving away a carousel,
will I catch hell from you?
Nimby’s chasing
’cause they’re bracing
Cause they ain’t so far
ban a carousel
ban a carousel
Nearer and nearer by changing zoning,
Not so far away
People enjoying open spaces
just get in my way
Soon you’ll sue and then I’ll lose,
still we’re going round
ban a carousel,
ban a carousel
etc.