DUMBO, Brooklyn

DUMBO, an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/25/nyregion/25journal.html Barnard, Anne. "Dumbo Journal: District Trying to Forge a New Identity"] "The New York Times", December 25, 2007] ] , is a neighborhood in the New York City, New York borough of Brooklyn. It encompasses two sections; one located between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, which connect Brooklyn to Manhattan across the East River, and another which continues east from the Manhattan Bridge to the Vinegar Hill area. The neighborhood is part of Brooklyn Community Board 2.

History

Until the 1890s, the western portion of neighborhood was known as Fulton Landing, after the water-ferry stop that connected it to Manhattan before the Brooklyn Bridge opened. Then primarily a manufacturing district housing factories that made machinery, paper boxes and Brillo soap pads, it began becoming primarily residential when artists and other young homesteaders, seeking relatively large and inexpensive loft apartment spaces for studios and homes, began moving there in the late 1970s. The acronym DUMBO arose in 1978, when new residents coined it in the belief such an unattractive name would help deter developers. Near the end of the 20th century, as property became more and more valuable in Manhattan, DUMBO became increasingly gentrified.

Historic preservation

On December 18, 2007, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously to designate the DUMBO section of Brooklyn as the city's 90th historic district. The DUMBO historic district consists of properties bound by John Street to the north, York Street to the south, Main Street to the west, and Bridge Street to the east. [ [http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/html/home/home.shtml New York City official site (n.d.): "Landmarks Preservation Commission Designates DUMBO as New York City's 90th Historic District"] ]

Points of interest

The area has emerged as one of New York City's premier arts districts, with a cluster of for-profit art galleries and such not-for-profit institutions as the performance space, [http://www.stannswarehouse.org/ St. Ann's Warehouse] , [http://www.brooklynartscouncil.org/documents/41 BAC Gallery] and [http://www.dumboartscenter.org/programs.html Dumbo Arts Center] . Chef Jacques Torres opened a chocolate factory in December 2000.Fact|date=December 2007 Other culinary business in the area include the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, the River Café, and, in the One Old Fulton Street building, Pete's Downtown Restaurant, all in adjacent Fulton Landing, which is also home to Bargemusic, a floating venue for classical music. The first public space was Fulton Ferry, followed by Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park. Brooklyn Bridge Park, a joint state/city venture presently under development, was launched in 2006.

Transportation

The New York Water Taxi company runs a water ferry from the Fulton Slip at Fulton Landing. New York City Subway stations are located at York Street (NYCS Sixth far south) on the IND Sixth Avenue Line, and High Street-Brooklyn Bridge (NYCS Cranberry) on the IND Eighth Avenue Line. Bus service is provided by the B25, B67, B69, and B75. A convenient staircase connects the Brooklyn Bridge walkway to Washington Street, one of DUMBO's main streets.

Footnotes

External links

* [http://mondomap.com/?bid=213 Interactive map of DUMBO - Mondomap.com]
* [http://nymag.com/realestate/articles/neighborhoods/dumbo.htm "New York" magazine (March 10, 2003): "Neighborhood Profile: DUMBO"]