A complicated dispatch from the department of "as realtors continue to pitch Williamsburg as hip and artsy, they're progressively making it less hip and artsy": Venerable North 6th St. arts space Galapagos will relocate to Dumbo in Spring or early summer 2008. "We love Williamsburg, we were born here in 1995, but we simply can't afford to remain in Williamsburg and produce the work that we feel is our most valuable contribution to the cultural ecosystem of New York City. In December 2005 our rent went up by $10,000.00 a month."

"Now, in order to extend our lease past November, our landlord requires a 30% increase in rent."

Man, fuck those evil landlords, right? Well, maybe not.

"It must be said that our landlords are lovely people who, way back in 1995, gave us an opportunity that no one else was willing to offer. The rent increases they've offered us are, incredibly, still below the market rate. We'll be working with them to make sure that 70 North 6 Street remains a venue of cultural significance and doesn't become the North 6 Street's next American Apparel or, god forbid, a Starbucks." Because that would be the final coffin-nail.

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