By Gail Baugh, HVNA Vice President
Activation of the vacant parcel of land, at the corner of Fell and Laguna continues in the planning stages. The idea of an incubator space for concepts that divert materials destined for landfill for new uses is gaining momentum, thanks to Arts, Culture, Entertainment (ACE) Co-Chair Madeline Behrens-Brigham initiating the concept. The Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH) is encouraging temporary use of this nearly 1 acre site, and HVNA will partner with other organizations for the purpose of incubating “making” ideas in materials reuse… for the purpose of creating art, greening containers, and other ideas.
While this parcel of land is destined for affordable family housing, with construction to begin in about 18 months, HVNA believes, with collaboration from community groups, that this space can find temporary use as arts organizations, startups, and existing businesses showcase their methods of using discarded materials to produce new products.
Many will remember the band shell, created 7 years ago by several conceptual art groups and individuals. The collaboration group included The Finch Mob, Rebar, Christopher Guillard, and Mark Sinclair. The concept of a performance band shell in the Panhandle was designed using discarded car hoods with other materials, fastened together, to create to a theater sound shell. Existing materials can be made into new products, and this “Making Space” incubator will allow new design and product concepts to be produced and showcased in this space.
This article originally appeared in the June/July issue of The Hayes Valley Voice. Read the whole issue and download your copy here.