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Read the press release here.

Ridgewood Development Pledges $10 a Year Space for Artists

By Serena Dai | August 19, 2014 5:13pm
 A new building at 176 Woodward Ave. will feature community space that artists and groups can rent for $10 a year.
A new building at 176 Woodward Ave. will feature community space that artists and groups can rent for $10 a year.
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Aufgang Architects

RIDGEWOOD — It's a dollar menu deal for artist studio space.

A proposed mixed-use building in Ridgewood at 176 Woodward Ave. plans to dedicate 3,000 square feet for artists and community groups to rent space for $10 per year — under a buck a month.

Developer Slate Property Group added the feature after working with Councilman Antonio Reynoso to obtain his support for a zoning variance on the property, which is currently zoned for industrial use, according to Reynoso's office and Department of Buildings records.

The proposal for the 88-unit building originally had no affordable housing, but developers committed to 50 percent affordable units, along with the affordable community space after discussions with Reynoso's office and community members, the councilman's office said.

The City Council approved the plan on Tuesday.

"Any project that runs through a ULURP process will need to meet demands of real affordability, and I’m pleased that we were able to achieve that here," Reynoso said.

Artists and community groups will eventually be chosen by the developer, who will consult with Reynoso's office and a group of artist-based groups, Reynoso told DNAinfo New York.

The space will also be split up for artists based on recommendations from the artist groups, Reynoso said.

"They'll tell us what they want," he said.

The property will also have 7,000 square feet of commercial space that can be used for industrial purposes like 3D printing, raw material supply and electrical contractors, according to the councilman's office.

The affordable units, of which 20 percent will be permanently affordable, will be distributed to people earning between $23,000 to $105,000 per year.

The remaining units will be market rate. A previous version of the property by architect Aufgang Architects noted that the building would include in-unit laundry, an exercise room, a rooftop dog run and a pet washing room.

Slate Property Group did not immediately return a request for comment.