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City Helps Galapagos Go Green
June 6, 2007 - Facing increased rents, Galapagos Arts Space - a cultural performance space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn that employs 32 individuals - began considering relocation to Berlin, Germany. However, after meeting with the Department of Small Business Services, they were convinced otherwise: the City could help them access incentives to design a new space that was environmentally sustainable and would reduce energy costs.
By facilitating negotiations with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority – which offers a host of incentives and other services to help companies build or renovate to be more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable - SBS is helping Galapagos relocate and expand their headquarters to a space in the DUMBO neighborhood, while maintaining a satellite location in Williamsburg. Galapagos expects to create forty-five new jobs in DUMBO. Because of their partnership with SBS, Galapagos will be able to take advantage of the full portfolio of incentives offered by the New York State Green Buildings program. The program will subsidize the cost of the design and architectural renderings for the new space, and includes grants to help Galapagos install green roofing systems and energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
"We knew that in order to move forward - to make sure we kept fueling the creative economy and continue putting audiences in front of artists - we needed partners. And the best partner for us was the City," said Robert Elmes, Director of Galapagos. "SBS has provided the community leadership to ensure that cultural centers like ours can thrive."
With these incentives, Galapagos hopes to help New York City achieve some of the goals outlined by Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC strategy, including supporting green technology, reducing pollution, and improving infrastructure. Click here to learn more about incentive programs that SBS manages to help businesses reduce energy costs and modernize infrastructure.
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