User:Ken
The following is what Ken understands to be his business-type agreements with Free Geek as of 9/22/06. Transcribed by Shawn. If you have questions, please ask him!
Artist/Shop Space
Boundaries
As of September 2006: Entire upstairs except low-ceilinged east room. Also small downstairs section by south garage door up to dividing wall (currently under construction).
Use
Large east room subdivided into art and/or office spaces and rented by the square foot at a rate of $0.80/sqare foot, plus $8 per renter. Large west room and downstairs section devoted to shop and storage. Organization based on the "train wreck" model pioneered and perfected by Free Geek.
Access for FG Staff
- Rooftop ladder and AC unit for maintenance purposes
- Back garage door for event emergency exit
- Full access to far east room
Rent
- $850.00, utilities included, prior to jan 2007
- $848 in jan, feb 2007
- $688 in march 2007
- $600 from apr-dec
- $740 jan-dec 2008
- NOTE: base rent in 2009 from $672, plus increase in Free Geek's overall rent (expected to be about 3%)
History
Initially rented entire upstairs for $1,000.00 puls a $20 dumpster share. The new lease raised our protion's rent $30 to $1050.000. As of July 2006, Free Geek has retained the far east room (approx 300 square feet) for $200.
Construction
Recent
- Door and vestibule at bottom of conference room stairs
- Locks turned in to Free Geek in April for re-keying -- Not yet returned, any week now.
Current
- Lower section dividing wall with door. Insulated with 5/8" fire block drywall.
- Insulate and drywall backside of kitchen wall (this has always been just open wood studs).
Future
- Provide continuous emergency exit during business hours thru garage door opening. Plan is to install a swinging door and window wall just inside garage door.
- This will probably never be a true-to-code, official emergency exit due to stairs down to sidewalk and the difficulty of opening the garage door.
- Lockable door at bottom of shop stairs.
Other
Dumpster Use
Averages a volume equal to about 1/2 a dumpster per month (if the dumpster is emptied 4 times a month then we are using about 1/8).
Scrap Wood - History and Current
I chop into firewood any burnable scrap. Up until about May of this year I had been throwing painted or vinyl coated wood or press board into the garbage. At this time Nathan told me that the stuff was actually usable a "hog fuel" and to throw it onto Free Geek's own pile of broken pallets, stereo cases, and old office furniture.
Early in June, Oso asked if I could haul the whole pile off to FarWest Fibres and charge Free Geek for their share. He was concerned about fire hazard, especially with the recent fire at Taylor Electric. I did this and charged Free Geek: $18 fee + $37.50 labor = $55.50. Soon after, more broken pallets and furniture appeared and I added my stuff as before.
Soon after, Richard tells me the pile has to go. Fire inspector coming. Did I know that this was how the big fire at Taylor Electric started? I tell him I'll do it that day.
One hour later Liane and Steve come back and tell me my pile of scrap has to go right now. Big fire hazard. Liane says we need to make some better way of keeping my stuff away from the building. Steve says he chops up the scrap wood into fire wood. Any broken pallets are now going to be sent back to the recycler. Steve also said he doesn't want to deal with any of my construction debris.
The same day (August 8?) I haul away my construction debris, and Free Geek's broken office furniture and broken pallets in my truck. I charged Free Geek $51.75.
- Present arrangement: Since that day, I've just been hauling my stuff directly to FarWest Fibres, and not putting any of my construction debris in Free Geek's scrap pile.
Future Postings
will address money and payment disbursal situation and future construction on building, as well as construction not having to do with the studios.
Additional Tenant Issues
Ken is interested in taking on a couple of tenants to help with the rent and to make the place a little more convivial. Staff has some issues that pertain to problems we have had with past tenants and problems that may arise in the future if his space and our space get busier.
What Dave talked to Ken about:
- Noise
- Tenant Access
- Rent
Noise
Noise is not a big problem now, but even if Ken were to be in his space by himself, he wants to start using it more, which means more noise. After the noise test, the main remaining issue was noise in our new library/work area which is right below his woodworking area. Ken said that he was thinking about ways to make that area more sound proof.
Ken also said that he's willing to work around classes in the library once or twice a week. He suggested setting up a clipboard so that he'd know what times to work around.
Access
Ken would like two new people to share his space. One would be another woodworker who's space usage would overlap with his own. The other person would be a metalworker who would need a separate fireproof work area prepared before they could move in. Ken mentioned that the Metal Worker may not need their own keys. These are both people that he knows very well and trusts.
Rent
One way out of this situation that we discussed in staff meeting would be to lower Ken's rent. Ken said that if he was the only tenant, that he could afford $400.00 a month. With just one other tenant he could afford $500.00-$550.00 a month.
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Ken is the best!
Yuppers.