Potential Space (Larger - Same Monthly Cost)

[jfer...@midsouthmakers.org]

Hello Makers,

We've always been on the look out for available spaces we could potentially move to. We've talked with various agents / landlords and we have found a *potential* place. I want to stress the fact that nothing is definite, we're only talking hypothetically at this point. No decisions are being made. We are only exploring our options.

We've had a place that suits a large number of our needs, however there are still many questions to be answered. We wanted to send out an email and get feedback on the part of town we'd be in. This place is just off of stage road before you get to Bartlett Blvd in the city of Bartlett. The size of the building is 3,000SQFT and the cost would be $800 / month. (We're currently paying $800/month for our space on Freemont) There is a garage door and it's all warehouse space.

We welcome any constructive questions, thoughts, concerns, or comments.

--
- Joe Ferguson
http://www.midsouthmakers.org

[Brandon Tice]

For what it's worth, the location of the space has always been what has stopped me from joining.  Not only the distance from my home and work area, but also definitely the general "part of town" and element that goes along with being in that neighborhood.  If you guys moved to Bartlett or anywhere on this side of town, I'd join in a heartbeat.

-Brandon

[Danny Chamberlin]

Can you provide more info about the space - ie an address? I wouldn't want to provide feedback without more details. Looking at the described area in general, it wouldn't be on Ferguson Road would it? :)
Danny

On Tue, May 1, 2012 at 1:47 PM, jfer...@midsouthmakers.org <jfer...@midsouthmakers.org> wrote:

[Joe Ferguson]

We shouldn't give out the address due to some legal issues with the current tenants. 

[Kara Ferguson]

Is the 3,000sqft one large room, or partitioned out? I've heard Bartlett has some very strict zoning laws. You might want to check in to that if you haven't already.

-k

--

Kara Ferguson

Curious Tales of a Southern Life
www.KaraFerguson.net 

Midnight Screaming: for your dark fiction addiction
www.midnightscreaming.com

@KaraFerguson

[Joe Ferguson]

I'm not 100% about how it's sectioned off. I'm sure there may be some zoning stuff we have to look into but we're still a bit early for that right now.

[Thomas Pledge]

I like the idea of moving to a better location, even if we have to give up the workshop. With the space right now when I tell people about the group I have to apologize for it, then sell them on the good parts of it (Like the shop, or the shop, and...the shop).  If the rent is the same and I can't imagine utilities and power not being much better we should seriously look into it imo.  A clean space that we can be proud of may just be the shot in the arm we need to really get rolling as a group.  I enjoy being a member but right now the space itself isn't a big draw.  I'm mainly a member for the social aspect (when I show up, but the Friday night meeting day is another topic) and the space we have is not conducive to large meetings of people and discussion.  It's great for work and hacking, not good for shooting the breeze in a group larger than about 5.  Anyway there is my two cents. 

[Joe Ferguson]

Here is some more info:

The breakdown of the space is:  2100 sq ft of garage/warehouse. 900 of offices. 1 Bathroom. completely ac/heated

[Joe Ferguson]

Thomas: We wouldn't be losing access to a shop. We'd still have a 2100sqft shop area. 

[Ben Eishen]

I am game for relocating.. especially for a space we don't have to share. Bartlett would be a shorter drive and looking at the area, looks to be a little more safer than orange mound.

Couple things that need to concentrate on..

-Is the Bartlett location OK? Would it cause members to drop?

-Will it bring in new memberships

-Its a new lease, that means we will be locked down for a bit. Upwards of 2+ years.

--
Ben S. Eishen
773.234.7436 | b...@eishen.com
9160 Hwy. 64, Suite 12-302, Lakeland, TN 38002

[Amy LeJeune]

I don't know if my 2 cents counts, but I could get a lot more use out of the space if it was in Bartlett. It's a good half hour drive for me now from either work or home.
Amy

[Sonny Mounicou]

For me its a toss up.  The idea of having the shop heated and cooled is appealing.  I don't think we have nearly enough usable space today because of the house configuration.  The safety is a big concern and it does impact my bringing my wife/children there late at night.  A safer environment would certainly be a plus.  That said, Bartlett will be further from my house and office.  If there is no downsides in the lease agreement or zoning and the cost is the same, it sounds like a step in the right direction.

--Sonny

[gatesofmemphis]

For the same price, completely climate controlled and a more easily sold neighborhood, it does sound like a step forward.  These are my questions, only for future reference:

what kind of lease?

is it a deal, or is this what they charge commercial tenants?

how is it zoned?

is there an outside space to it?

is there a car bay to it?

what's near it? Does it have any visibility?

what restrictions would the landlord have on it beyond zoning?

what would be the cost of heating/cooling it?

would we have any restrictions on parking?

is it freestanding?  If not, what tenants adjoin?

Roy

[Daniel Kohn]

To add my 2 cents:

A/C is good, I think I would use the space (shop in particular)  more if it is cooled. I have time in the summer, but the current shop is too hot when I have time to work on projects. But on the other side more space to heat/cool means higher cost.

We have access to a few tools in our current shop, we would have to get saws, drill press etc for the new space.

As for Bartlett's...it is further away for me (5 min now would turn into 25)  but I think I would be one of the exceptions.

Can we get internet at the location? Is the electrical service modern (not fuses but breakers) ? Grounded plugs? GFI?

After next week my schedule opends up if you need annother set of eyeballs to check it out. (Who know I might even be able to start making meetings)

Dan Kohn

[Joe Ferguson]

A lot of great questions Roy, 

I sent the breakdown earlier, 900 sqft of Office (5 offices I think) and 2100 sqft of warehouse. past that, we aren't really sure yet. It does have a roll up door but until we tour the space we won't be able to say for sure if it's a loading dock or drive in bay.

Like I said in the original email, this is still *very* preliminary and mostly hypothetical. There's no reason to go chasing a potential space when a lot of people think it would be a bad area to move to.

Dan: We would have the same internet setup we currently have. The Comcast account is in my name and we would just transfer the service.

[Mary Hess]

It's a good bit further for me. And remember we would lose the yard (which has actualy started looking lots better).  That being said, as long as there is a roll up door and the ability to have decent ventilation, it could work out well for us.  Ventilation would be one of my major concerns.  Also, is there a stove, kitchenette, or a place to cook for barbeques?

[Danny Chamberlin]

Or at least a gas connection, cause isn't one or more of the stoves the groups?

[Kinfolk_Thuggin]

I'll definitely chime in on this. I love you guys but the current
location is way too far for me to get active. Bartlett would be great
but I guess not if you guys would lose your downtown folks.

On May 1, 1:47 pm, "jfergu...@midsouthmakers.org"

[Mary Hess]

Right now we've Been using a propane burner outside.

Sent from my iPhone

[gatesofmemphis]

How soon until we know something?

[Joe Ferguson]

A few of us are going to visit the potential space Monday afternoon. Depending on the answers we get and what we see we'll schedule another visit and invite members to come see it. I've got a good list of questions raised in this thread for the landlord.

[MemphisArtGuy]

Please make sure we get it inspected by code enforcement. If you recall I posted a few time in Dec/Jan about the space up north that got shut down cause of code violations. They were down for about a month making repairs and what not. Hate to leave the midtown area, but.....  I'm excited that the new space would be 5 minutes away from me. The idea of a bigger indoor space is a dream come true. Just say the word and I'll start collection boxes from work for packing. 

On Tuesday, May 1, 2012 1:47:42 PM UTC-5, Joe Ferguson wrote:

[Joe Ferguson]

A few of us were able to tour the potential space this afternoon. We are currently compiling the information gathered and we are waiting for the Realtor to get us a copy of the lease. Once we have time to review the lease we'll get all the information to you.

[gatesofmemphis]

Any word on the Bartlett space?

On Tuesday, May 1, 2012 1:47:42 PM UTC-5, Joe Ferguson wrote:

[Joe Ferguson]

I am feverishly working on an announcement. I hope to get it sent out this afternoon / tonight.