This podcast is a collaboration of Historian Melissa Benitez, Artist of the Gowanus Karla Patrone, Artist activist of Gowanus Monty Nijjar, City Planner Asli Oney, Political Advisor Yuying Xian, and the Developer Andrew Alleyne. These people are about to share their contributions and experiences of the thriving area of Gowanus neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY. This discussion will extract the reason artist, residents, politician, and developers are attracted to Gowanus. We are gathered around answering a few questions to primarily understand:

WHAT IS THE IDEAL action PLAN THAT WOULD BENEFIT ARTISTS of GOWANUS IN AN UNDERGOING GENTRIFYING COMMUNITY?

HISTORY

History and Precedent Studies

Gentrification

Definition: the process of renovating and improving a house or district so that it  conforms to middle-class taste.

Is the redevelopment of an existing community.

Signs of Gentrification

Community is abbreviated with a Real Estate Friendly Name.

For example, Dumbo stands for the Downtown Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.

Street Art replaced by Commissioned Street Art.

Brand Stores or Food Chain Restaurant replace authentic restaurants and small grocery stores.

Artist Developed Communities

Dumbo ( Downtown Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass)

Artists start moving in the late 1970s

The community starts gentrification process in the 20th century. ( Joy Glidden, Founding Director of the Dumbo Arts Center, achieved a successful development in Dumbo.)

The community is primarily a Tech Hub , where there are many renovated warehouses being used for office space. They are also being used for residential spaces and commercial. So many buildings are mixed use.

SoHo ( South of Houston Street)

In 1960s the abandonment of historic buildings attracted artist to move in because of the big space and large windows, that allowed natural light to go through. They weren’t spaces that were considered living spaces, but for many years artist lived in their studios. Which was illegal because zoning wise it wasn’t residential. In 1971 The Zoning Resolution was amended to permit Joint Live- Work Quarters for artists. The M1-5a and M-5b distracting was established to permit visual artists, certified as such by the Department of Cultural Affairs, to live where they worked. During 1987 Non-Artists residing in SoHo and NoHo were exempted from this new regulation. It was a one time agreement and was an extension to non- artists. In 1973 SoHo received a landmark designation as the SoHo- Cast Iron Historic District . ’

Effect of Gentrification on Artists in Gowanus

Before the gentrification process there were many affordable spaces that were located in Gowanus which caused many artists to migrate to the area. The spaces in Gowanus aside from being affordable were very spacious. Then there was other artist sharing spaces and just renting out desks. Still many of the spaces were in terrible conditions. 

Then eventually popularity of the neighborhood increased because the artists created an area many wanted to visit. There are many art murals in the streets of Gowanus that has driven people to come to see them. Aside from the murals there is also many art studios that are open during weekends. Some even allow you to come in the studio and take a look around. The artist community is very tight and always united. Many of the artists were content with their situations. But then the rents starting going up due to developers trying to come to the community and redevelop it. With the 365 Bond building the artists feared of being kicked out their studios. They feared their rent was going to go sky rocket and they wouldn’t be able to afford it.

After some changes in Gowanus many were assured by their landlords that they would not be affected by the gentrification. But slowly the population of artists began to decrease. Majority of the artists in Gowanus were displaced because they could no longer afford their studios and they were asked to move out by the new developers.The rest of the remaining artist community are trying to come up with proposals to bridge the artist community with the new development plan. They are starting advocacy groups so they can come together as one and protest. They are not protesting against gentrification but they are protesting to protect their rights for their art studios. 

 

ARTIST VIEWPOINT

What are the artists in Gowanus currently facing when it comes to their work spaces?

Gowanus has become a popular and lively neighborhood. One can say the reason for that is because of the artist community. Throughout the years many artists have migrated to the Gowanus for both affordable spaces and the titebond the artists share between each other. The rush of artists to this location caused developers to see the Gowanus neighborhood as the next big thing similar to what happened in other neighborhoods like  Dumbo and Soho.

Open Studios : An event they host every year to give the public insight of the artists in the area.

Displacement: Since gentrification began a few years back many artists have been told to leave their studio space.

94th 9th street: A location where many artists were evicted from.

Perspectives from specific artists:

Artist Alex Nero was assured by his landlord that he can renew his lease for three years therefore he invested into building his studio space to then have to move out because his landlord needed the space to give it to his assistant that was getting evicted from her apartment.

Alex Nero: “At the time of lease signing, Edward assured me I can stay for three years. A few weeks ago, I saw Edward by the building and he again assured me that my lease is good. Two weeks ago, Edward told me that he will not renew my lease because his assistant is getting evicted and he will need to “take over” a few spaces on our floor. I’m very bummed out by all of this. I invested a lot of money to build out my space. I have been here since January 1. I was assured I could stay for three years; this is a real heavy blow.”

Artist Alex Nuñez was not properly notified of his eviction , a Facebook post is how he received the news. He later called the company of the building and it took him a couple of tries to get in contact with them. When he finally did they said he had about three months to get out. The new spaces he looked at were too expensive for the little amount of space he would’ve received.

Alex Nuñez: “I am a painter, and I moved to 94 9th Street after my MFA program at Hunter    College, around January 2013. I found out about the eviction on Facebook. I called the management for several days and they finally returned my calls, telling me that I had two to three months to find another studio. They have not formally notified me.”

Interviewer Robin Grearson sat down with gallery owner Krista Scenna to ask her opinion on the current events in Gowanus. She had a valid point of stating that until artists purchase their own space they will live with the fear of having to move every time an area gets gentrified.

Robin Grearson: How will the loss of these workspaces (and artists) impact Gowanus? KS:” The eviction just makes us feel like we’re all on borrowed time here. I didn’t think it would happen so fast and I think that’s why many people find it jarring. It also makes me wonder, we’ve worked so hard to bring attention to this community, are we also responsible for this in some way? That’s the tricky part about gentrification, right?”
RG: Can we create change if we work together and if so, what are the obstacles?

KS: Until artists and art advocates band together and start to OWN these spaces, I fear little can be done.‼️

94th 9th street : Eli Hamway leased three large building in Gowanus. Where many artists had studio spaces.  One building was the 94th 9th street location. Where majority of affordable studios were located in this building. Once under new management the artists were told that their leases were not going to be renewed causing them to be displaced and forced to find alternative locations.

 

ACTIVISTS

Conditions today;

What were the living/working conditions of an Gowanus Artist prior to the 2010 super fund site approval. What has changed since then? Pre superfund- artist were given to live in the abandoned lofts and buildings for the fraction of the price that they are being asked today. And they were happy about it. Mind you that this wasn’t an ideal place for a family to move in but it was a utopia for a low income artist. Artist was able to live and openly practise their art without having to worry about the mess. But in 2010 EPA declared the gowanus canal a superfund site, which means  the city was forced to clean the canal up and surprisingly major real estate development also started in that area around the same time. The rezoning of this area allows for more residential building to be build which was a sure gamble for many developer and real estate owner.  But after after the superfund effect, artist started to see the struggle again that they have been dealing with time and time again which is forcing to relocate. As the real estate market in gowanus hikes up and clears the way for tenants,  who can pay much higher price than a struggling part time artist. As gentrification takes effect,  low income artist and middle class families are facing eviction  and these people need support and someone to stand along with them to fight for what is right, which is why we have organisation like asap, artFcity, wage for work and many more who are willing to fight for the artist community survive  gowanus.Their mission is to preserve the diverse artist community in these neighborhood by bring their issue to general public, media and local politicians. By raising awareness about the injustice being done to them as gentrification spreads, artist are being kicked out of their own live/work space and most of these artist does not have the final background to support themselves. So these artist are in need of support by the very same neighborhood they helped to raise. by raising awareness about the crisis of studio space they need help from various organization like Volunteering law for arts (VLA) who fights for artist for free or very low fee. This organization help and give legal aid to the artist by educating them about their rights. We also need to get together to protest like Asap organized a protest call double crossed brooklyn. In nov 17 2015 artist from all over gather in front of brooklyn museum during a real estate submit for 600 developer with signs and banners, and some people brought their own furniture demonstrating the fact they are unfairly being  kicked out of their own homes.

 

Gowanus is the mecca of real estate right now, but  the artists are getting evicted who helped to built it? So what can we do to help artist with this issue? We do understand and realize  that we have a problem, but instead of crying about, we need to stand up and fight. Because the moment we stop fight stopping for what’s right , is the moment we lose. So what we need is to look for solution, according to Deputy Borough President of Brooklyn, Diana Reyna she suggest that, “ We believe that the solution to the precarious situation that many artists find themselves in is to become owners themselves. Currently, we think that having a nonprofit or low-profit model, a company, and entity that would lease out to artists at market or below-market rates– at least provide stable leases– would go some way toward providing stability of artists, stability of community.”

In an interview with Jenny Dubnav from asap, she talks about asked about the small business jobs survival act.according to her, “ This Act allows the basic right to renew lease which, unbelievably, doesn’t exist for a commercial lease holder. That is why landlord’s has the power not to renew a lease. SBJ will ensure all commercial tenants the basic right to renew unless they have breached their lease. Lease renewal jacked up 40%, or more that is a large amount for a struggling artist or small grocery store or Bodega. Also, if you feel your lease increase is too high, and the landlord and the tenant mediation did not work, you can go to binding arbitration where you would have to come up with a mutual rent increase. We feel that in general, that would dampen the skyrocketing rates and it would be a perfect solution for commercial rent control. This would probably be the best solution but we’re not there yet politically. so as we know artist are in a crisis and and we’re at the point now where the city council has to step up and even small businesses in a crisis and we need sweeping policy change and that’s where we need the city council to come up with something which benefits all.”  According to the blog take back nyc, “ the SBJSA has a majority of the New York City Council (27 out of 51) who have signed on for the rights of small business. But, there are 4 individual lawmakers who stand in the way of saving NYC small businesses: Mayor Bill de Blasio, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Public Advocate Letitia James, and Council Member Robert Cornegy. These individuals, whether through action or inaction, are destroying NYC small business and not representing the will of the people.”

Artist are not asking for much except a place to stay and their pursuit of passion, Losing art in nyc is like losing soul from a body.

This building actually had a very interesting story. Around 05-06 a bunch of artist rallied together and bought this building from the owners. Its a 19th century brick building on 543 union st. and is now zoned commercially. BUT!! each apartment in that building is owned by artist of various kind. Interestingly that building use to be a box factory.

Now i want to take your attention to the issue artist facing in gowanus and all over nyc. Artist community is facing crisis more than ever and they are in need of help.

 

ZONING (City Urban Planner)

The Current Updates

When we visit Gowanus today, it still seems like there is a segregation between the changing community ,  the  artists and industrial business that share the same blocks. With the current zoning of mixed use, what is the current relationships between the artist and community?  Mixed use zoning of a building can be visualized as if, you think of a contemporary 6 story building, and at its ground levels which are closer to pedestrian levels consist of, storefront or restaurants, operating under commercial use. Or industrial or community facilities. Zoning also controls the use in densities by type meaning the maximum floor to area ratio gets divided into several industries under one roof. Consider a building’s site location is designated to a certain height that can be divided into business industries compatible to each other. This building  could be a residential building that has 5 FAR where 4FAR goes to residential and 1FAR goes to commercial, that building could also become 2FAR residential and 3FAR to commercial, under MIX USE zones. During the design of the building of 5FAR , there is an independent choice between the commercial and residential designation that is most likely determined by the developer which……….. could be driven by the community. In a true gentrifying community this same building that we’re talking about would….. be a minimum 3FAR residential and 1FAR community facility and maybe a 1 FAR for commercial use.
-As you know right now, Gowanus is common 2FAR with industrial on the bottom and commercial on the top. But combining mixed use creates increase in costs, it would require 2 separate cores, lobbies, and also to add the conns like, noise, vibrations, docking proximity to residential lobby or truck loading and pedestrian conflicts… Through  architectural design these pedestrian level matters need to be carefully addressed.
-Mixed use also needs to be thought linear on the street level. One typical block in Gowanus………. we would see a three-story residential, a two-story commercial, five story residential, a two-story industrial, two-story industrial,  Kind of dynamic scene to walk through. Creating more interaction with the community passing through such businesses at the street level.
-Mix uses can also be attained on a neighborhood scale when we’re considering narrow streets versus wide avenues. The separation of use and density by geography would be like block by block, or corridors versus side street, or access to transit, and the benefits of avoid conflicts and creating easier access becomes as a result residential buildings become more accessible to the wide avenues. And mixed commercial and industrial are closer to narrow streets with less residential access.The community relationships are currently threatened due to the rezoning that is currently happening in the Gowanus. Gowanus is a light industrial neighborhood accessible  and a business intersection from New Jersey to Brooklyn, Manhattan and major highways.  Gowanus is a threshold of some of the NYC industry. The process will be one of Rezoning would: Provide consistent, predictable regulations to guide development, Embody goals and principles established through outreach and framework process, Maintain areas for continued industrial as well as commercial activity,  Achieve cleanup and redevelopment of underutilized sites, Consider the scale and context of surrounding neighborhood in creating zoning regulations for the area, Produce opportunities for affordable housing, achieve waterfront public access at the canal’s edge.

During my Gowanus Open Studio event, I spoke to a couple of artists that had to move minimum 3 times in the past 10 years in the search of affordable studio space. How would the new zoning regulations allow affordable studio space within this community. Currently, The Gowanus businesses tend be LEASED, mostly, entertainment support and artist based. Many of these business rent the work spaces, invest to transform the raw spaces into shop specific to the work they do. The business would feel more secure if they can purchase the leased spaces. This rezoning would make it impossible for the artists to afford, unless they could work and live in the same space, which would not be allowed under current condition.

If the community and artists come together what would be the combined synopsis for merging into mixed zone use? Attempts like Bridging Gowanus must have some impact already to the Gowanus community? City Planners identified four goals during  Brad Lander’s Bridging Gowanus meetings to preserve and create affordable housing, investments in infrastructure, a thriving manufacturing sector, and a genuine Gowanus mix of uses. This all indicates that the city is trying to nurture job growth in Gowanus. Growth in different businesses and more people on the street is what Gowanus needs, and they should be implementing this culture by connecting with the community at the ground level. Gowanus’ current mixed-use character is precarious.

The challenge to maintaining and even growing the current mix is that individual land use actions (e.g., spot rezonings and zoning waivers or variances) are haphazardly chipping away at the balance of uses and threatening its longevity. As real estate pressures continue to mount, the manufacturing-zoned areas are becoming susceptible to private landowners filing variance and rezoning applications to build structures like the large Whole Foods store and the residential Lightstone development. Most of these new uses serve to drive up property values, which in turn inspires land speculation, which threatens to displace the manufacturing businesses that remain.

Seems like each redevelopment plan has to consider the sites culture to accommodate the future infrastructural need through prototyping/ beta planning programs. Is the DCP focused on any programs that will bridge the artists and the community? DCP’s “PLACES” studies (Planning for Livability, Affordability, Community, Economic Opportunity, and Stability).  

1. 1. Minimize conflict between industrial businesses and residents
   2. Explore funding opportunities to assist artist to purchase property
   3. Explore funding opportunities for new housing to support the artist at arts culture
   4. Make connections between arts and cultural organizations that need space and property owners who wish to maintain or expand arts and culture
   5. Seek to support for arts and culture uses in new development
   6. Encourage active grounds inviting street level entrances

How does rezoning come in play to protect the artists from displacement? Many of the light industrial and commercial sectors that are doing well in Gowanus (such as creative and maker firms) are environmentally compatible with other uses, including housing. Also, businesses often want to be near their consumer markets, and mixed use neighborhoods can promote workers’ ability to walk to work. So, to make connections between arts and cultural organizations is key. If property owners who wish to maintain or expand arts and culture seek uses in new developments. The “MX” zoning designation introduced by the NYC Department of City Planning in 1997 and used in 15 districts throughout the city allows for manufacturing and housing to co-exist within a district, where artist can work and live in the same property.

With the new zoning is allowing mixed incomes, what is the criteria for the affordable income in the Gowanus due to gentrification? Are there future plans to maintain city blocks that are affordable to live? During the development of new affordable housing (by applying Mandatory Inclusionary Housing MIH), (the city’s new policy that requires a percentage of affordable housing on all upzoned sites) and ensuring that on publicly owned land, the creation of affordable housing exceeds minimum MIH requirements. Inclusionary housing program criteria: In exchange for 33% Floor Area bonus, 20% of the floor area must be set aside as affordable units, annual income up to $61,450 for a family of four (80% of the HUD Income Limits).

 

POLITICS

Community

How are the people reacting towards the Bridging Gowanus Proposal? Well, Bridging Gowanus meeting is hosted by city council. As a city councilman, we will love to hear different voices from representatives, such as small  businesses, local organizations, and especially  local artists, From our latest framework, it is not only include four goals as the city planner mentioned before. It also intrude a range of projects. For example, we will design the Powerhouse Arts  Workshop which was a former transit power station built in 1903. However, the building will  serve  as a permanent industrial fabrication center  for artist in the Gowanus community as a cultural focal point for Brooklyn. The goal of this program is to provide affordable and accessible space for artists. It will also support public art and increase access for artists to public space. To support the artist, the workshop also create the full service fabrication. So artists can  use this space to make arts, share skills, and exhibit their works. For example, when artists create ceramic art and use kiln to make glazing and fire the pottery, they can use it in the workshop. The bond between the artists, artist community and neighborhood is becoming more and more stronger. After the meeting,  according to the meeting, the site begins in 2017 and the building will open in 2020.

What are the councilman doing about the artists in Gowanus? Are they trying to help them or are they ignoring the artists? Since the rezoning happening in Gowanus, there are many artist displaced. In order to help the artist, Council Members are trying to pass a bill, called Small Business Jobs Survival Act. The main focus of this bill is to give small businesses a fair right to renew the lease. It also provide a fair environment for artist to negotiate the lease renewals. For example,  from the bill, artists have  a right to renew their studio for ten years if they sign a lease when they rent the studio. However. If artists use the space different from what they described in the lease, or they persistently delay payments without reason, they may lose their right to renew the lease for the future. In Gowanus, many artists are sharing the studio or they are subletters, the prime tenants need to be informed the landlord in the lease, otherwise, they also may lose their right to renew the studio. If the landlords refuse to renew the lease, they have to inform the artist 180 days before the expiration of the lease. Moreover, they also need to write a statement and explain it in detail to the artist and the American ARbitration Association. That means, artists have at least one hundred and eighty days to  finding a new studio or looking for help from organizations, such as artist’s studio affordability project, arts gowanus, and city agency, and so on. During this period, if artist disagree with landlord and still want to renew their lease, they can inform the administering agency and the american arbitration association or any other ARbitration recognized organizations. Then the ARbitration will explain the process of hearing  to the  artist and landlord.

How will the bill protect artist display from his studio?Many  artists who did not has a rent lease is easily to be displaced. The bill provided by Small Business Jobs Survival Act will help artists.  artists will not lose the right to renew a lease if they follow the rule. From the rental guidelines, Artists has the right to renew their lease. And the lease renewals shall be for at least ten years. However, artists can choose a different lease duration with approval of the landlord.

How will the artists lose their right to renew a lease?
There are 8 main reasons that artists will lose their right to renew a lease.

1), if they has persistently delayed rent payments without cause.

2) They don’t use the space as what they described in the lease.

3) The artists perform illegal activities.

4) The artist  reconstruct the space without landlord’s approval.

5) The artist is a subletter and  the prime tenant did not notify the landlord.

6) The artist is a gross and persistent violator of New York city tax laws.

7) During the current tenancy, the landlord propose/plan to using the space as his own business that is not a studio.

How to renew their lease?
City Council -Bridging Gowanus

1. 1. Power House Workshop: The former transit power station will become a permanent home for arts in the Gowanus community. Therefore, artist can work, exhibit, perform, and interacting with other artist and neighborhood
   2. City Planner
   3. Art & Culture Group

DEVELOPERS

1. Agency: Property Markets Group  Partner: JDS Development Group
2. Zoning regulation and policies
3. Gowanus Conservancy
4. Community board meetings
   1. Community Board

What are some of the driving forces that steer you to certain neighborhoods; such as the Gowanus?

There are a couple qualities that bring many people like myself towards the Gowanus area. It is interesting nonetheless that we are all fighting to bring back an area  that was for many years deemed as a toxic-waste site. At present, that same toxic  waste site houses thousands of artist, bars, tech businesses and because of the recent zoning efforts luxury apartments. Not only does it hold all of these things but it has a hold of the EPA’s attention. The area is now deemed as a SUPERFUND site. Any land in the United States that has been contaminated by hazardous waste and identified by the EPA as a candidate for cleanup because it poses a risk to human health and/or the environment. These sites are placed on the National Priorities List (NPL). In particular for developers and artist we both love areas where there isn’t much control. There seems to be consistency in its inconsistency. Another drawing feature of the area is the waterfront. Area like dumbo are thriving because of the waterfront. It’s what people want. They somehow feel connected to the waterways. Finally, zoning, the city is currently in the process of studying rezoning for the neighborhood. Potentially, its aim is to allow more residential development in the area. That is where we come in. There are talks about modeling the area after Long Island City in hopes of avoiding towering glass building but it will interesting to see what and how they implement their zoning efforts while trying to preserve some of the neighborhood..

As such a pronounced developer, what are you doing for the community and their people?

In particular for the Gowanus area we have set out to incorporate the community and its current state. We plan to lead and assist with the transformation the Gowanus is currently going through right now.  Nearly two years ago we purchased property at 234 Butler Street and 242 Nevins. Our project goals  for that area is to promote Timely canal cleanup while ensuring solutions are cost effective, preserve and enhance park space and more importantly promote job creation and economic development. We stand firm with the community of Gowanus in its efforts to remove sewage runoff into the canal. At present the city is proposing to install sewage tank at the aforementioned location. They plan to wave the wand of eminent domain which in response  we plan to donate the majority of our land for greenspace while still allowing them to install their tanks below our buildings.  Our solution is simple . At present we currently hold a 99 year lease on the property at butler street and with zoning efforts in place we are allowed to build commercial two story building. Our plan is to install a public park in the middle of our two buildings. If the city was to take the other route and obtain the land through eminent domain it could take them nearly five years and millions of dollars. This is where we come in a offer them the use of the land while maintaining our lease that is geared towards providing  the community opportunities.

Is there a solution to break the cycle between artist and real estate developers who seem to find themselves in the same place?

A solution may be deemed as something that completely solves a problem and become beneficial to the two parties we are exploring. Personally I believe that both sides of the spectrum can merge and become an irrefutable force within the community. As a day to day developer I’ve put together detailed case studies, observations and trends amongst artist and developers. Many of these instances deal with areas that were in the similar predicament as the Gowanus. They are Williamsburg, SOHO and Dumbo that we all have grown to love.

Both developers and artist alike aren’t completely different.  They both introduce aforementioned factors into low cost, undeveloped neighborhoods. My reasoning behind this statements follows many years of observation within these communities. It’s a ever going constant cycle between both parties in undeveloped neighborhoods.

We can fix many of these issues that plague both parties when it comes to uplifting neighborhoods that peak your interest. For instance, many developers have taken to partnering with artist allowing eye catching collaboration to surface within their building. A great example of that is the 864 unit Mercedes house rental in hell’s kitchen features art from local artist that begins on a wall behind the front desk, curls around a corner and over a mail room, and ends near an elevator bank. Some 150 feet in width, the eye-catching piece shows waves of primary colors that blend into pastels. Another great example of partnership is the recent development in East Williamsburg on 51st north street. That particular situation is unique due to the fact that At 80 Met, a luxury six-story condo in Williamsburg, the structure will be built around the performance space used by a nontraditional dance studio called Streb Lab for Action Mechanics.

Developer Steiner Equities bought the entire block for its development, but instead of booting the arts group sitting in the middle of the block, the group, which was in the middle of a 10-year lease, purchased its space at 51 North 1st Street. They wanted to preserve some of the artistic element of Williamsburg and even plans to market the condo project with the help of Streb Lab.

Do you believe as a developer there is a difference between both artist and yourself?

Currently, i don’t believe that there is a difference between both parties as i’ve mentioned. We are at the moment trying to make use of a space that no one is trying to. The better question is, Do i believe that we are interested at the same time? No. Prior to rezoning efforts i don’t quite believe many other developers were interested in the Gowanus.

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