BY JILL D'AMICO

The Pearl Street Plaza, formerly a 12-spot parking lot in the heart of DUMBO, has undergone a miraculous change, all within a span of weeks. Where white asphalt paint at one time delineated the triangle, benches, planters and umbrellas now beckon visitors and residents alike to relax.

New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan joined DUMBO Improvement District Executive Director Tucker Reed on Thursday, Aug. 9, to open the pocket park. The announcement officially launches the citywide Public Plaza initiative, which is a part of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s PlaNYC campaign that aims to put a public plaza in every New York City community.

The DUMBO plaza, at the corner of Pearl and Water streets, is hard to miss. It is dressed with a vibrant green painted floor, an abstract sculpture centerpiece and hand-hewn wooden benches, donated by local artisans.

“This is a great example of a public-private partnership working together,” said Mr. Reed. “Property owners around the park have now seen it as an incentive to make their block nicer. The community has really latched onto the space.”

“This is a celebration, not of our ability to move, but our ability to stop,” said Ms. Sadik-Khan, “to take a moment, to chat with our neighbors and to be a part of our communities.”

The commissioner went on to impress how important public space is in our neighborhoods, as 10% of New Yorkers walk to work and 60% take public transportation.

People in DUMBO were asking about the plaza “as soon as the green paint was laid,” she reported.

High Hopes
“It’s a great example of how you can invest a small amount of resources and the community really rallies around it,” said Mr. Reed.

He has high hopes for the plaza to act as a town center for DUMBO, and mentioned the possibility of having a greenmarket set up shop there.

And as for the six-story building that sits at the base of the plaza?

“It would be great to have a restaurant there,” he remarked.

“Now that seems like a great opportunity,” agreed Ms. Sadik-Khan.

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DUMBO Improvement District

Pictured above: New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and DUMBO Improvement District Executive Director Tucker Reed at the Pearl Street Plaza's unveiling.