By Erik Bascome
Staten Island Advance, N.Y.
WWR Article Summary (tl;dr) The expanded “MakerSpace NYC” will offer affordable and shared access to equipment and training on specific tools and machinery, as well as American Welding Society Welding Certification and STEAM programs for children grades K-12.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.
MakerSpace, the non-profit industrial workshop in Stapleton that recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, is planning a massive expansion across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge into Brooklyn.
MakerSpace will be setting up shop in a 20,000 square foot advanced manufacturing center at the Brooklyn Army Terminal.
The expansion was prompted after MakerSpace was selected by the city’s Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) to take part in the Futureworks NYC initiative, which is focused on supporting and growing modern manufacturing by providing accessible equipment.
According to the NYCEDC, the deal is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, allowing MakerSpace to operate in the space long-term under a new name — MakerSpace NYC.
“MakerSpace NYC has created new opportunities for so many entrepreneurs in our city. We’re thrilled to welcome them to the Brooklyn Army Terminal, where they will offer training, affordable access to equipment, and space to launch a business — all in this vibrant industrial campus,” said NYCEDC president and CEO James Patchett.
MakerSpace NYC will offer affordable and shared access to equipment and training on specific tools and machinery, as well as American Welding Society Welding Certification and STEAM programs for children grades K-12. Product demo days, pitch nights and hackathon events will also be hosted at the facility.
The new facility at the Brooklyn Army Terminal is already equipped with modern industrial technology, including laser cutters, CNC machines, 3D printers and a water jet. Traditional welding, sewing and woodworking equipment is also available.
About MakerSpace
MakerSpace is a 6,000 square foot non-profit, community workspace — located at 450 Front Street — that offers tools, equipment and resources for local builders, tinkerers, artists and more.
“[Scott Van Campen] and I started the MakerSpace because we wanted artists and other creative people in the community to have affordable access to tools and equipment,” said DB Lampman, co-creator of the Stapleton hub. “As an artist, it means a great deal to me to have created a community space where people can come to make, invent and collaborate.”
The MakerSpace co-founders say they’ve been able to provide programs to more than 60,000 people over their five year Stapleton residency. Van Campen credits this number to local organizations and public officials.
“In the last five years, Staten Island MakerSpace has given hundreds of Staten Islanders the expertise and tools to build almost anything their imaginations could conceive. Led by metallurgical artisan Scott Van Campen and sculptor DB Lampman, the non-profit workshop has become an integral part of the Stapleton community, a center for artists, designers and more. On their fifth anniversary here in Staten Island, I congratulate them on their expansion to the Brooklyn Army Terminal, where I have no doubt they will give inspiration and access to equipment to a new audience,” said Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore).
