The three rules of real estate are location, location, location. A spectacularly scenic area of Dumbo, one of Brooklyn's New York waterfront neighborhoods, right next to the Brooklyn Bridge has 3 vacant lots sitting on it!
The New York City Parks Department has put out a (RFEI) Request for Expressions of Interest for the temporary and seasonal activation of Anchorage Plaza.
The Park's Department's goal is to hear the best ideas on how to use the space for events or amenities like a farmer's market, community garden or pickle ball fields.
The plaza consists of three sections: The Old Fulton Street yard, the Washington Street yard and Ash Alley, an alley below the Brooklyn Bridge connecting both yards.
Dumbo residents are happy that the yards are being transformed and reimagined into a space that the local community will use and enjoy! However, neighborhood residents are concerned that the site could be turned into a circus or yet another tourist attraction. This may be unavoidable because so many tourists already flock to Dumbo for the waterfront views, restaurants, shops and Brooklyn Bridge Park.
According to NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donahue “With it's stunning views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline, Anchorage Plaza is a prime location for creative activations”.
According to Alexandria Sica, Executive Director orf the Dumbo Business Improvement District “From a junkyard playground, to a sculpture garden, to a magical cafe, it could be a gathering spot and anchor to the community”.
Dumbo stakeholders are justified in their concerns about having another tourist magnet in an area already overwhelmed with crowds. Especially during the warm weather months, Washington, Fulton and Main Street are jammed with pedestrians and traffic as thousands of tourists come to Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Doreen Gallo, President of the Dumbo Neighborhood Alliance (DNA) and the Cadman Plaza Conservancy, has been working to preserve Historic Dumbo and it's Belgium block streets. Gallo says “There should not be a whole development in front of one of the Wonders of The World”. “We have to make sure we don't construct anything blocking the view of the Brooklyn Bridge or turn it into a circus. Almost every other view of the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo is obstructed”.
Bill Stein, board member of the Fulton Ferry Landing Association says “Our position is that whatever is selected/designed for these spaces should be geared toward the local residents as opposed to tourists”.
To be continued...
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