The Station Project

I am working with a group of artists to convert an old auto repair station into sculptor studios here in New York. Although there are fairly affordable artist studios in various places around the outer boroughs, there are very few light manufacturing spaces for heavy sculpting (welding, metalworking, woodworking, etc.).

The site we are looking at is in a manufacturing zone and is a brownfield, since it used to function as a gas station (the pumps are gone, and the underground tanks are said to be sealed to New York City regulations).

We imagine the workspace having about five separate studios, an office and a common area for shared machine tools, welding equipment, a slop sink and other amenities.

The old parking lot would be transformed (eventually) into a semi-public green space that would also function as a sculpture exhibition space.

We are planning to establish a nonprofit organization (as an independent corporation, or possibly working more informally with another nonprofit), which would be dedicated to purchasing and maintaining the space, exhibiting work, and providing apprenticeships to aspiring sculptors, craftsmen and tradesmen.

We are hoping to find people interested in helping with this project (regardless of the amount of time you can devote) who have expertise in the following fields:

• Commercial/Industrial Real Estate
• Brownfield Development
• Apprenticeship Programs
• Establishing Nonprofit Organizations and Fundraising
• Grant Researching and Writing
  Some grants we may be eligible for could come from:
  - Arts Funds
  - Brownfield Development Funds (Green space Funds)
  - Community Development Funds
  - Economic Development Funds (Industry Training and Retention)
  - Education Funds (Apprenticeships)
  - Private Funding

Thanks!