​New York’s The Lot Radio to undergo major renovations

New York-based community radio station The Lot Radio has closed temporarily while it undergoes “major renovations”, Resident Advisor reports.

According to RA, the communal area of the station – which offers the public a space to purchase food and drink – was closed off temporarily following health violations issued by the government.

The Lot Radio founder François Vaxelaire insisted that apparent violations were “unrelated to any sanitary issues or health hazard”, but instead are the “result of us applying for major renovations”.

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He also told RA that the shutdown is temporary as the venue remains in an “undetermined status” with New York City's Department of Buildings.

Mixmag confirms that there is currently no public access to the radio station aside from an entryway for DJs who are scheduled to perform (as of October 25). Livestreams are continuing.

The station sits on an empty, triangular-shaped lot in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, where it has operated out of an old shipping container for some eight years.

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According to RA, the station does not have access to city water or sewage, instead using a self-contained water system which was approved by the government five years ago before officials apparently backtracked.

The venue will now undergo renovations, although it’s currently unclear how long it will be closed to the public. Vaxelaire told RA that they are “working diligently to resolve this situation”.

The station is working alongside LOT-EK, a New York-based design studio, to bring its new home to life with reused, upcycled and industrial materials.

Mixmag has reached out to The Lot Radio for more information.

[Via Resident Advisor]

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter