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As you likely know, a new partnership and management team formed last summer
to revitalize Industry City. After nearly a decade leading the transformation of the
Brooklyn Navy Yard, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity now as CEO at Industry City
to work with all of you to build a unique community of makers and innovators. Together,
we can make the property a national model for the creation of local innovation
economy jobs.
Manufacturing has changed radically since the 1950’s. With an explosion of new
technologies over the last decade, the lines between the technology, design and
manufacturing sectors have blurred. Modern manufacturing is part of a broader
innovation economy that includes the range of businesses that support the making of
physical, digital and engineered products. Whether it’s the film or fashion industry,
production tech or fine art, food production or niche manufacturing, we have the
opportunity to significantly grow these sub sectors of the innovation economy while
creating good-paying local jobs.
Our vision for Industry City focuses on three key goals:
1) support our existing tenant base and invest in projects that continue to make Industry
City a hub for modern manufacturing and the emerging innovation economy in New
York City;
2) create a sense of place and community for our tenants while providing amenities
such as food vendors and open space in our courtyards; and,
3) strengthen our connections to the surrounding communities, particularly by
supporting local job creation.
We are especially proud of the progress we are already making by connecting to
our local community and are pleased to introduce our new Director of Community
Engagement, Cristal Rivera. Cristal is profiled in our “Working at Industry City” feature.
I had the pleasure of meeting many of you at our recent holiday get-together. In the
coming months we will share more on our progress, solicit your input, and create
connections among tenants and the community through community forums and
tenant mixers.
In the meantime, read below to learn about some of the exciting initiatives we
wrapped up at the end of 2013 and some of the great things we’re planning in the year
ahead. I look forward to being in regular communication and seeing you at Industry
City.
Sincerely,
Andrew H. Kimball
CEO, Industry City
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4
INDUSTRY CITY COMMUNITY
LUNCH IN THE COURTYARD?
On December 11th, Industry City hosted a holiday networking event for its diverse tenant
community. Over 200 tenants mingled, networked and chatted with their neighbors,
savoring food made by Industry City tenants and snapping photographs with Industry
City photographers. If you missed out on the fun, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for
future tenant networking opportunities in spring 2014. We look forward to seeing
you there!
PLAYING ATINDUSTRY CITY
Last summer, Industry City introduced new food options in the redesigned courtyard
between buildings 1 and 2: some of the city’s favorite food trucks, including Palenque,
Moo Shu Grill and Sweet Chili. We’re looking forward to relaunching the food truck
program in 2014, but – in the meantime - be sure to visit the Building 2 food hall and
enjoy espresso, tasty French pastries and lunch offerings from Colson Patisserie, or a
sweet midday treat and banh mi sandwiches from Ninja Bubble Tea. And keep your eyes
peeled for new options coming to this space in the next few months!
“Working at Industry City” will profile individuals and companies that make Industry
City such a unique and dynamic part of New York City’s economy. For our inaugural
edition, we are delighted to introduce you to Industry City’s new Director of Community
Engagement, Cristal Rivera.
Cristal Rivera
Director of Community Engagement, Cristal Rivera, understands that supporting
Industry City tenants and helping to connect them to the surrounding community
represents a win-win scenario for everyone. Prior to joining Industry City, Cristal
oversaw the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Employment Center, where she worked with the
local community and business base to link area residents to gainful employment with
Navy Yard tenants. During her tenure, she doubled and was on track to triple the local
workforce, linking over 250 residents to jobs every year. Approximately 25% of the
workforce was recruited from the local New York City Housing Authority buildings.
Cristal worked with Navy Yard tenants to access government benefits to assist in
growing and training their workforces. And local hiring is good business: Through
local hiring linkages, Navy Yard businesses were able to reduce turnover and increase
productivity.
Cristal is already working with tenants at Industry City to meet their workforce
needs. In September, Cristal began working with tenant Alexandra Ferguson, who
makes sassy pillows and personal accessories, to hire local talent – and she has already
expanded her workforce. Cristal is meeting with tenants to offer assistance and create
links to community groups for hiring and business assistance programs. Furthermore,
Cristal is work with community groups and schools to develop programming as a bridge
for residents and students to connect to Industry City.
For more information on partnerships, free recruitment services, or other programs
please contact Cristal Rivera: [email protected]
WORKING AT INDUSTRY CITY
B R O O K LY N , N E W Y O R K | I N D U S T R Y C I T Y. C O M
HAPPENINGS AT INDUSTRY CITY
FACTORY FLOOR
COME TOGETHER: SURVIVING SANDY, YEAR ONE
Industry City wrapped up 2013 in distinctly fashionable style, combining art and design
with our commitment to the community for a number of compelling events.
This fall, we kicked off our first events in the Factory Floor, our new, 22,000 square foot
market hall located at 241 37th Street (across from Costco). The first event attracted
thousands of people to the Factory Floor to view the fine furnishings and housewares
made exclusively by more than 40 NYC designers and makers – a nod to the Industry
City’s proud tradition of manufacturing. The Factory Floor featured a DJ, food
trucks, and family-friendly activities from our friends at Construction Kids, and the
crowds reveled in the opportunity to “shop local” from designers who live and work
among them.
In November and early December, the Factory Floor collaborated with the Pratt
Center’s Made in NYC initiative to host Fashion on the Factory Floor, a fashion-focused
makers’ market featuring local designers. Visitors came from far and wide to celebrate
local fashion designers, participate in the local market, and attend maker workshops
throughout the weekend.
Look out for more events at the Factory Floor in 2014, and for more information, visit
the Factory Floor website: factoryfloorbrooklyn.com.
On October 20, Industry City, the Dedalus Foundation and the Brooklyn Rail unveiled
Come Together: Surviving Sandy, Year 1, an art exhibition of nearly 100,000 square feet
that celebrated the perseverance of the art community in the face of devastating impact
from Hurricane Sandy. The exhibit was curated by art-world luminary Phong Bui and
features works by some 300 artists. Over 80,000 visitors toured the exhibition over its
two-month run, which wrapped up on December 15.
One part of the exhibition that will remain on display is a mural painting by
Groundswell, a nonprofit organization that brings together artists, youth, and
community organizations to use art as a tool for social change. High school students
from NYC public schools, including individuals directly impacted by Superstorm
Sandy, developed and created the mural, which is located in Industry City Building 2,
just inside the 220 36th Street entrance.
Come Together: Surviving Sandy, Year 1 also included free tours and programs for
students and families in the community. Over 1500 students from elementary, high
school, and college programs attended the free tours to tour the show and participate in
creative workshops – all of whom were amazed by the artwork and enjoyed a different
artistic experience.
These events were just two of many Industry City hosted last year. We were proud
to host UPROSE, Brooklyn’s oldest Latino community-based organization, who hosted
its third annual NYC Climate Justice Youth Summit that was attended by more the 750
young leaders from across NYC. Other events included the 4th annual URBAN Tattoo
Convention, film screenings from Brooklyn-based Rooftop Films, the Vendy Awards –
also known as the “Oscars of Street Food” – and Fashion Week Brooklyn. Many of these
events will return this year, so keep your eyes peeled for announcements coming soon.
Alexandra Ferguson
LEASING HIGHLIGHTS
Industry City has been busy welcoming more than 50 new tenants to the neighborhood,
including businesses bringing technology and modern manufacturing to Sunset Park,
over the past six months. Along with those new businesses, Industry City has also been
working with more than 50 existing tenants for expansions and new spaces. We are
excited to announce more tenancies soon!
OPEN STUDIOS COMING TO INDUSTRY CITY
Industry City couldn’t be more excited that a group of its dedicated artist tenants are
organizing the property’s first open studio program. The first open studio night is
scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 26, and will invite the full breadth of artist
tenants at IC – from painters and photographers to woodworkers and lighting designers
– to open their doors to the public. So mark your calendars now, and learn more at
industrycitystudios.com.