Archive

  1. Key to the City: Conversation and Book Event

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    Key to the City: Conversation and Book Event

    A Scholarly Discussion of Key to the City and the Impact of Zoning on Our Built Environment

    Wednesday, July 16, 6–8 pm
    Van Alen Institute
    303 Bond Street, Brooklyn

    RSVP

    Join AIA Brooklyn and Van Alen Institute for an engaging conversation between two leading urbanists and change-makers: Sara C. Bronin — legal scholar, author of Key to the City, and founder of the National Zoning Atlas — and Claire Weisz, founder of WXY Architecture and Urban Design.

    Bronin, whose expertise spans architecture, law, and planning, will share insights into how zoning has quietly but profoundly shaped the built environment — and our daily lives. She’ll explore the ways these regulations have both supported and harmed communities across the country while offering a vision for how zoning can evolve to better serve the public good.

    Weisz is a founder of WXY, an NYC-based architecture, urban design, and planning firm that has contributed many enhancements to the city’s public realm including the SeaGlass at The Battery, the Spring Street Salt Shed and Sanitation Garage and the Rockaway Boardwalk, as well as numerous multi-year planning and resilience investigations currently underway.

    Light refreshments served. Discussion followed by socializing and book signing.

    RSVP

  2. Van Alen Fall Fest 2025

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    Save the date!

    Van Alen Fall Fest 2025
    Saturday, October 18
    303 Bond Street, Brooklyn

    As part of Gowanus Open Studios and Archtober, join us for an festive open house to learn more about Van Alen, meet your neighbors, and get insight into community-led design projects across NYC. Drop in anytime for a lively afternoon of treats, tunes, and family-friendly activities.

    More details to be announced. In the meantime, watch what happened at last year’s Fall Fest below, and see photos here.

  3. CB6 Full Board Meeting

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    CB6 Full Board Meeting

    Wednesday, April 9, 6:30 pm
    303 Bond Street, Brooklyn

    Brooklyn’s Community Board 6 holds their monthly Full Board meeting at Van Alen Institute. Open to the public.

    For more information about Brooklyn Community Board 6, calendar updates, and meeting agendas, click here or email Mike Racioppo, District Manager at mike@bkcb6.org.

    The Urban Room at Van Alen Institute is a flexible, accessible, street-level space located at 303 Bond Street in Gowanus, Brooklyn. It’s a place for civic-minded organizations to meet and diverse groups to come together in dialogue, and serves as an information hub for the Gowanus community. Van Alen regularly hosts meetings for many local groups, including Brooklyn Community Board 6, the Gowanus Oversight Task Force, and Gowanus Mutual Aid, as well as a community fridge operated by One Love Community Fridge.

    For values-aligned nonprofits and community groups, Van Alen offers this space and meeting tech at no cost, while private and corporate space rentals support our mission to create more equitable cities through inclusive design. To inquire about using our space, fill out this form.

    Ask about using our space

  5. CB6 Full Board Meeting

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    CB6 Full Board Meeting

    Wednesday, March 12, 6:30 pm
    303 Bond Street, Brooklyn

    Brooklyn’s Community Board 6 holds their monthly Full Board meeting at Van Alen Institute. Open to the public.

    For more information about Brooklyn Community Board 6, calendar updates, and meeting agendas, click here or email Mike Racioppo, District Manager at mike@bkcb6.org.

    The Urban Room at Van Alen Institute is a flexible, accessible, street-level space located at 303 Bond Street in Gowanus, Brooklyn. It’s a place for civic-minded organizations to meet and diverse groups to come together in dialogue, and serves as an information hub for the Gowanus community. Van Alen regularly hosts meetings for many local groups, including Brooklyn Community Board 6, the Gowanus Oversight Task Force, and Gowanus Mutual Aid, as well as a community fridge operated by One Love Community Fridge.

    For values-aligned nonprofits and community groups, Van Alen offers this space and meeting tech at no cost, while private and corporate space rentals support our mission to create more equitable cities through inclusive design. To inquire about using our space, fill out this form.

    Ask about using our space

  7. CB6 Full Board Meeting

    Comments Off on CB6 Full Board Meeting

    CB6 Full Board Meeting

    Wednesday, February 12, 6:30 pm
    303 Bond Street, Brooklyn

    Brooklyn’s Community Board 6 holds their monthly Full Board meeting at Van Alen Institute. Open to the public.

    For more information about Brooklyn Community Board 6, calendar updates, and meeting agendas, click here or email Mike Racioppo, District Manager at mike@bkcb6.org.

    The Urban Room at Van Alen Institute is a flexible, accessible, street-level space located at 303 Bond Street in Gowanus, Brooklyn. It’s a place for civic-minded organizations to meet and diverse groups to come together in dialogue, and serves as an information hub for the Gowanus community. Van Alen regularly hosts meetings for many local groups, including Brooklyn Community Board 6, the Gowanus Oversight Task Force, and Gowanus Mutual Aid, as well as a community fridge operated by One Love Community Fridge.

    For values-aligned nonprofits and community groups, Van Alen offers this space and meeting tech at no cost, while private and corporate space rentals support our mission to create more equitable cities through inclusive design. To inquire about using our space, fill out this form.

    Ask about using our space

  8. Flood Solutions Fair

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    Flood Solutions Fair
    Saturday, January 25, 1–4 pm
    303 Bond Street, Brooklyn

    Like many parts of NYC, the neighborhoods around Van Alen Institute are hit hard by flooding when it happens. Produced by the City Sponge, the Flood Solutions Fair is a free community event sharing information and solutions for flooding in NYC. Drop in to see what you can do in your place and in your community!

    Come browse solutions, hear from local elected officials and policy experts, learn about government mitigation programs, and meet experts including plumbers, landscapers, masons, basement waterproofers, insurance experts and nonprofits leaders.

    Speakers include:

    • Andrea Parker, Gowanus Canal Conservancy
    • Ariel Jankelowitz, InsureBefore
    • Chris Zimmerman, Center for NYC Neighborhoods
    • Franco Belli Plumbing
    • Jo Anne Simon, NYS Assemblymember
    • Jon Schippers, Steering House
    • Karen Blondel, Public Housing Civic Association
    • Mary Grubbs, LJS Waterproofing
    • Robert Carroll, NYS Assemblymember
    • Sam Robinson, Field Form
    • Shahana Hanif, NYC Council Member
    • Stephanie Fox, Office of Comptroller Brad Lander
    • Stephanie Kutch, Mazzone Hardware
    • Sunnyside Masonry
    • Walter Rodriguez Meyer, Local Office
    • Wendy Andringa, Assemblage Landscape

    View the full agenda and RSVP on Eventbrite.

    Produced by The City Sponge and in partnership with the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, Forth on Fourth Avenue, Park Slope Civic Council, and Boerum Hill Association.

    Free RSVP

    Has flooding in Gowanus impacted you? Stop by the Flood Solutions Fair to share your story with artist Tiffany Baker.

    Coming in Spring 2025, Tiffany Baker’s Dear Neighbor, project is a multi-site campaign and art showcase spotlighting the experiences of Gowanus residents impacted by flooding, depicted through experiential murals, audio recordings and abstracted portraits. The project aims to reflect how neighbors across the community care and support each other through a public, visual display of their stories.

    Dear Neighbor, is part of our multiyear initiative Points of Promise, which creates public art and design tools that support civic engagement and foster connection among Gowanus residents in the midst of significant neighborhood redevelopment.

    Free RSVP

  9. NYC SBS Training: HVAC & Adv. Manufacturing

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    In-Person Info Session

    Image: NYC SBS

    From the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS), this info session will provide details on two upcoming training programs: HVAC Pre-Apprenticeship and ApprenticeNYC: Advanced Manufacturing.

    HVAC Pre-Apprenticeship equips participants with the skills needed for a successful career in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). ApprenticeNYC: Advanced Manufacturing helps New Yorkers develop in-demand skills in a high-growth advanced manufacturing occupation in roles such as CNC Machinist, Welder, and Industrial Mechanic.

    This training is organized by the NYC Department of Small Business Services and Soulful Synergy in collaboration with the Gowanus Houses Resident Association and Wyckoff Gardens Resident Association.

    Learn more and RSVP here. For more information, contact Soulful Synergy at training@soulfulsynergy.org.

    RSVP

    The Urban Room at Van Alen Institute is a flexible, accessible, street-level space located at 303 Bond Street in Gowanus, Brooklyn. It’s a place for civic-minded organizations to meet and diverse groups to come together in dialogue, and serves as an information hub for the Gowanus community. Van Alen regularly hosts meetings for many local groups, including Brooklyn Community Board 6, the Gowanus Oversight Task Force, and Gowanus Mutual Aid, as well as a community fridge operated by One Love Community Fridge.

    For values-aligned nonprofits and community groups, Van Alen offers this space and meeting tech at no cost, while private and corporate space rentals support our mission to create more equitable cities through inclusive design. To inquire about using our space, fill out this form.

    Ask about using our space

  10. NYC SBS Training: HVAC & Adv. Manufacturing

    Comments Off on NYC SBS Training: HVAC & Adv. Manufacturing

    In-Person Info Session

    Image: NYC SBS

    From the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS), this info session will provide details on two upcoming training programs: HVAC Pre-Apprenticeship and ApprenticeNYC: Advanced Manufacturing.

    HVAC Pre-Apprenticeship equips participants with the skills needed for a successful career in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). ApprenticeNYC: Advanced Manufacturing helps New Yorkers develop in-demand skills in a high-growth advanced manufacturing occupation in roles such as CNC Machinist, Welder, and Industrial Mechanic.

    This training is organized by the NYC Department of Small Business Services and Soulful Synergy in collaboration with the Gowanus Houses Resident Association and Wyckoff Gardens Resident Association.

    Learn more and RSVP here. For more information, contact Soulful Synergy at training@soulfulsynergy.org.

    RSVP

    The Urban Room at Van Alen Institute is a flexible, accessible, street-level space located at 303 Bond Street in Gowanus, Brooklyn. It’s a place for civic-minded organizations to meet and diverse groups to come together in dialogue, and serves as an information hub for the Gowanus community. Van Alen regularly hosts meetings for many local groups, including Brooklyn Community Board 6, the Gowanus Oversight Task Force, and Gowanus Mutual Aid, as well as a community fridge operated by One Love Community Fridge.

    For values-aligned nonprofits and community groups, Van Alen offers this space and meeting tech at no cost, while private and corporate space rentals support our mission to create more equitable cities through inclusive design. To inquire about using our space, fill out this form.

    Ask about using our space