The second phase of the BAM Cultural District Plan will consist of the redevelopment of two large sites (North and South) that will create a number of important arts and cultural resources for established and emerging artists. The district will also see a new streetscape and public space design by the famed landscape architect, Ken Smith. The following are development projects in the pipeline:
BAM Fisher Building
Theatre for a New Audience: Theatre for a New Audience will build a new facility that includes a 299-seat theatre and rehearsal space. The new building will be located in the heart of the District on Ashland Avenue between Fulton Street and Lafayette Avenue. It is being designed by Hugh Hardy and will serve as a home for the production of Shakespeare and classical works of theater, as well as affordable rehearsal and performance space for rent to the local community. In addition, it will be the headquarters for the largest program in New York City for the introduction of Shakespeare into the public school system, invented and administered by Theatre for a New Audience. Construction of the new 30,000 square foot facility is to begin late 2010.
South Site Mixed-Use Building: A triangular parking lot bounded by Flatbush Avenue, Lafayette Avenue and Ashland Place in Downtown Brooklyn will become a mixed-use facility developed by Two Trees Management and designed by Enrique Norten. This new building will contain a mix of housing, retail and a city-owned cultural space. Public open space will also be developed on the northern end of the triangular site. The cultural space is planned to include rehearsal studios, cinemas, visual arts space and a neighborhood branch library, all for use by Brooklyn-based organizations. The city is currently finalizing the development program and schedule.
The Strand Theater: The City is currently developing plans for the renovation of the Strand Theater, which is the long-time home to not-for-profit arts and cultural groups UrbanGlass and BRIC Arts | Media | Bklyn. There are several goals for this project, including the expansion of programming space for UrbanGlass and BRIC, and the restoration and enhancement of the building's facade. The City and the two arts organizations are working with Leeser Architecture, an international firm known for its work with cultural institutions, on this publicly-funded renovation.
BAM Fisher Building: The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) plans to renovate 321 Ashland Place that formerly housed the Salvation Army. The project will include the creation of a new 263-seat flexible performance venue and affordable space for community use and education programs, while also expanding BAM's ability to present works within an intimate setting. Project design is underway with construction slated to begin in 2010.
Streetscape and Public Space Design: Based on a revised Master Plan, a Request for Proposals was issued and Ken Smith Landscape Architect and his team were designated to design the major public spaces and streetscapes in the BAM Cultural District. This firm has worked on several well-known landscape architecture projects throughout the five boroughs including the garden atop the Museum of Modern Art, 7 World Trade Center, and the $150 million East River waterfront park. A Grand Plaza bounded by Flatbush, Lafayette and Ashland Avenues will provide a major outdoor gathering space and provide an entrance to the District.
The Arts Plaza is a public outdoor space on the North Site off Ashland Place that will link the cultural buildings on the site and provide a place for ongoing visual arts programming. New streetscape and landscape design for the major thoroughfares in the area will enhance the pedestrian environment and strengthen the identity of the District.
Outside of the Cultural District, several projects also contain a large amount of space dedicated to cultural organizations and exhibits of all sizes. A snapshot of two such developments is provided below.
The Schermerhorn: As part of a 217-unit supportive housing development, Common Ground and the Actors' Fund will build out a community theater and performance space, which will be programmed by The Actors' Fund. Currently the permanent home of the Brooklyn Ballet, The Schermerhorn began welcoming new tenants in 2009.
110 Livingston: In conjunction with the development of a 300-unit condominium at this former Board of Education building, developer Two Trees Management selected an arts organization to transform a 6,000 square foot space on the building's ground floor into an active performance facility. Issue Project Room (IPR), a multi-disciplinary exhibition and performance arts organization currently based in Brooklyn's Gowanus neighborhood, will offer new music, literary events, film screenings and dance and theater performances.