CoworkBuffalo launching!

[Nick Quaranto]

Reposting from BOCC! I've got a few updates about coworking:

* We're going to launch on May 7th, 9am, at 225 Delaware above Spot Coffee.

After an extended search, Brian Fending's current space seems like a great choice to get started with coworking (again!). We're going to take 2 suites on the 2nd floor of the building above Spot, starting May 1st.

Kevin Purdy, Dan Magnuszewski, and myself are going to work on making sure the place kicks ass in the next few weeks. Namely, we're going to get some good desks, chairs, some more art on the walls, and other office stuff (a healthy supply of coffee).

* Flat rate of $100/month.

We're going to have a mix of general use tables and individual desks. First come, first served. The building is open from 7am-7pm, and everyone who pays as a member will get a key to the inside door of the office. If someone needs access beyond those times (or weekends), we'll handle it on a case by case basis.

We'll prorate the first month, and go from there. If you're planning on only working for a few days out of the month at coworking, we'll handle that also on a case by case basis.

If you've got any questions, let me know! A site (at coworkbuffalo.com) with more info will be set up soon.

-Nick

[Kevin John Gomez]

Do you have photos of the office?

Kevin John Gomez

Designer, Developer, Dude

@kevinjohngomez

http://kevinjohngomez.com

[Dan Magnuszewski]

Don't have any pics right now, but we should be around tomorrow if you'd like to stop up and check it out in person.

-Dan

[Nick Quaranto]

It's definitely not 100% ready yet, there's basically one large table, and several smaller metal desks. Just going to say, we're planning to make the space a lot better before we start taking money on the 7th.

-Nick

[John Miller]

Looking forward to it.  By then, I should be fairly mobile and ready to get out of the house.

How's the internet situation there?

[Nick Quaranto]

Already have wifi set up, had 7 folks in today and it was great. I believe it's a Verizon business line, I can get more details from Brian about it.

[Brian Fending]

It's a Vz 7Mb line like nick said. Been installed since Jan and pretty reliable.

Here are some pics from several weeks ago, right after painting. A bit more settled now.
http://picplz.com/user/fending/

[Dan Gigante]

So, I suppose this is how Murphy's Law works - just when the group finally decides to jump into a temporary location is when I finally find out from the management at Tri-Main about potential space that could work for all of us. It figures.

After months of working on this and countless hours on my part, I am happy to finally say that I have secured space at Tri-Main that I am planning to lease and I have carved out over 1000 sq. ft of dedicated space for CoworkBuffalo to use. In total, it's 3600 sq. ft. with one full wall of windows (so there is a ton of natural light), a kitchenette, a long conference room, and space where I plan on putting a few couches for visitors (or even for those who work there as a "break area" of sorts).  

If you're familiar with the proposed Tri-Main space from discussions in February, I actually think this suite is better. There are more windows, the flow is better, and it's on the 2nd floor and closer to the main entrance and to the elevator.

At this point I need to know ASAP if CoworkBuffalo is still interested as I can't fill all 3600 sq. ft. by myself and will have to switch gears to see if there might be another potential sublease tenant for this space. I can tell you that there are a few others that are already in the mix aside from You and Who, totaling about 6 professionals plus interns. If it turns out that I cannot find a sub-leasor in the next week, I'll have to go back to the drawing board and look for smaller space in Tri-Main. From what I was told by Matt, the building manager, the space could be move-in ready by May 15th.  As I've said from the start, I want CoworkBuffalo to go in the space that works best for coworking - so if that's not my space, then that's fine. But I will need to know that soon, as I said, I will have to go back to the drawing board.

For this space (Suite 227, 3600 sq ft), I have a proposed floor plan I can show you and suggest that any and all that can, come by to check out the space - let's just set up some time(s).

Finally, I am working on finalizing the details on the connection - looking like it will be a new fiber line, can start at 10Mb with more available as they're putting in a new 100Mb line. 

dan

On Apr 17, 2012, at 3:43 PM, Nick Quaranto wrote:

Hey folks! I've got a few updates about coworking:

[Brian Fending]

I think this is kind of awesome, Dan. The timeframe isn't much different from the proposed one. It really just comes down to location and willingness. I for one am willing to be a member of a co-working space at Tri-Main. As I recall, there was a lot of interest in this location, and then some things fell through.

So… What does the headcount of willing people look like and how does discovery on other properties since the initial space at the same building was seen impact every thing. 

[Chris Smith]

I'm in for Tri-Main, perfect location for me and plenty of in/out parking for those of us who visit customers a few times per day.

Chris

[John Miller]

I'm open to either space. Trimain is closer to home, but above Spot is a great location, too. At this point, I just want someone to take my money and I'll show up where they tell me to.

[Kevin John Gomez]

I prefer the Tri-Main building, but I'm happy either way.

Kevin John Gomez

Designer, Developer, Dude

@kevinjohngomez

http://kevinjohngomez.com

[Amber Rampino]

I'm down with Tri-Main. Nice work.

--

Amber Rampino
Designer  ::  Marketer  ::  Illustrator
 

amberrampino.com
@amberux
716 218-0494

inkybench.com

@inkybench

[Nick Quaranto]

Hey folks, just to keep everyone updated: Dan's been awesome and
extremely helpful with getting us started, but we're still going to
charge ahead with 225 Delaware to get this going. I'm hoping to get a
site up this week with more info, and I'll keep posting updates as we
get closer. Thanks folks!

-Nick

[Chris Smith]

When you say "we", who do you mean? I don't intend to work at 225 Delaware, I was planning on the Tri-Main. Is that now not happening?


Chris

--
Christopher M. Smith
Artvoice
810-812 Main St
Buffalo, NY 14202
artvoice.com
Email:  ch...@wnymedia.net
Mobile: 716.982.7537
Web:  http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/wnymediachris

[Christopher Buryta]

I think there is a strong following the 225 Delaware location. No local is perfect of course, but I'm glad to see that there are decisions being made and that the list has been kept up to date as things happen with plenty of room for voicing opinions. It's obvious that lots of thought has been put into it, and I know for a fact that finding a space for coworking is logistically no small feat. Keep up the good work drivers of the coworking space, and I look forward to coworking more often again!

Chris Buryta

bur...@gmail.com

twitter: cburyta

aim: cburyta

[Nick Quaranto]

Hey Chris,

That's correct. "We" meaning CoworkBuffalo, which is going to be run by myself, Kevin Purdy, and Dan Magnuszewski. If you'd like to work at Tri-Main, I'd contact Dan Gigante directly, but it's not going to be a part of the coworking space that we're starting at 225 Delaware.

-Nick

On Apr 23, 2012, at 1:23 PM, Chris Smith wrote:

[Chris Smith]

Nick,
I was under the (now obviously false) impression that Dan had been negotiating on our collective behalf for the space at Tri-Main for the past 6 weeks. That was after Clark shat upon the idea of the Elmwood basement location which sent you guys in search of windows and led to the discovery of the Tri-Main space. When five people responded on Friday that they were interested in the Tri-Main space, I figured it was still a thing.

Dan,
Can you float this second space with a few people or did you need the whole group in order to cover it? Or do you want to scratch the plan as to not do the typical Buffalo thing and have two similar, but essentially competing groups splitting resources?

Cheers,
Chris

[Nick Quaranto]

Just to voice my opinion here, if there's enough folks to do a second space, go for it! I just can't manage both. :)

I'd be more than happy to run both under the banner of CoworkBuffalo name/identity if someone wants to step up and lead that. Feel free to bug me off list if so.

[Dan Magnuszewski]

I'll weigh in on this as I've been trying to get coworking going for over 5 months now.

I want everyone that is a freelancer/remote worker to be involved in this, have awesome participation, consolidate everyone, etc. The problem is finding something that pleases everyone - it's impossible and very draining. Nick, Purdy, Gigante, myself, and others checked out tons of places over the city and did enjoy the Tri-Main (which had some nice perks outside of it's location). We had the consensus that we were going to go forward with it, and Tri-Main dragged their feet for probably a month and half waiting to hear back from Fischer Price who had "dibs". When that fell through another place was looked at, but was much bigger and didn't fit for what we needed. There was a hiatus. In the meantime, just to get something going, Fending offered up his office for coworking and if there was interest, use it for full time coworking. Meanwhile Dan was looking into some other potential spaces at Tri-Main.

We coworked after OpenCoffee last week at 225 Delaware (I think there were about 7 or 8 people) and pretty much everyone agreed that we preferred the downtown location, the space was nice, the price was good, internet was already installed (and good), so there was a unanimous decision to quit dragging our feet and JFDI. Also, with the news of Jordan Levy's incubator going in at Canalside in May, I like the idea of being close to that (along with my other office in the Brisbane building and the "Tech Corridor" project that I'm pushing forward). For those hoping for Tri-Main, sorry things didn't work out, but I hope that people can get behind the location we chose to start with. I'm happy to discuss this further with answer any questions/issues people have.

-Dan

[Nick Quaranto]

Reposting from BOCC! Here's a few updates!

We now have a website: http://coworkbuffalo.com
And a twitter account: http://twitter.com/coworkbuffalo

Beyond that we're getting ready for next week, lots of wall art prep
going on, and we're going to make an IKEA run this weekend.

One example of some fun stuff we have in mind: Each member will get a
small picture frame to hang their latest conference badge. Finally, a
use for these things! (And it'll look awesome!) http://instagr.am/p/KBIT-WM6if/

Who's excited!?

-Nick

[Nick Quaranto]

Some news re: CoworkBuffalo. Get ready for some fun office
planning details!

Bad news: We're delayed from officially opening.

Thanks to some miscommunication with our new landlord and the
space (Suite 10), we're delayed from officially opening. Basically, we
just got into our suite yesterday, and the carpet needed to be
replaced. We're hoping the new carpet will be laid down in the next
week. Once the carpet is laid and our furniture/art is moved in, then
we'll pro-rate the rest of the month for members and carry on!

Good news: You can come cowork on Monday still!

Monster Assembly's office (Suite 9), which is joined
with CoworkBuffalo, has working business-class (aka: FAST) wifi, and
a table to work at. You're more than welcome to come on down to
225 Delaware until this is figured out.

I'm going to start inviting folks who previously expressed interest
in CoworkBuffalo/Village to Basecamp account, which we're going to use
to organize/plan who's at the space, and have the partners for the
space field questions. If you didn't get one tonight, and you're
planning on being a member at CoworkBuffalo (or even just interested),
please let me know.

Other exciting news: We're picking up furniture and other fun
stuff tomorrow.

Kevin and I are going to be hustling around WNY and Canada to pick
up lots of desks, chairs, and even a phone booth. Get ready!

If you have any questions feel free to ask!

-Nick

On May 1, 10:26 am, Nick Quaranto <n...@quaran.to> wrote:
> Reposting from BOCC! Here's a few updates!
>
> We now have a website:http://coworkbuffalo.com
> And a twitter account:http://twitter.com/coworkbuffalo
>
> Beyond that we're getting ready for next week, lots of wall art prep
> going on, and we're going to make an IKEA run this weekend.
>
> One example of some fun stuff we have in mind: Each member will get a
> small picture frame to hang their latest conference badge. Finally, a

> use for these things! (And it'll look awesome!)http://instagr.am/p/KBIT-WM6if/

[John Miller]

I've been watching the paint job on Twitter.  It looks like you're making good progress already.  Suite 9 has plenty of room, and will work in the interim.

Hit me up with that Basecamp invite when you get a chance.

--John

[Nick Quaranto]

I neglected to mention that we won't be charging for access until
we're fully moved into the new space. Just doesn't seem fair. Thanks
for dealing with us so far everyone.

Sent from my iPhone