Space Search 2015

In which our intrepid hackers try to find a larger, more accommodating space for our shenanigans.

Interested members

• Chris Agocs
• Mason Donahue
• Dmitriy Vysotskiy

Requirements

• Size - MIN: 1000+SQFT DEFAULT:1500+SQFT
• Location - Near South Side, bound loosely by Western Ave on the West, Madison/"0" on the North, the Lake on the East and Pershing Rd on the South
• Rent - at or under $1000 or $1200 with heat and electricity
• Features/amenities
  • REQUIRED: bathroom, 24/7 access, heat+electricity, internet
  • SEEKING: street-level entrance, open plan for subdivision, ability to vent and exhaust, water+sink+drain, adequate power with independent breaker box
  • PREFERRED: roll-up door access, 3 phase power

Questions to Ask When Considering a Property

• Is the property large enough for our current needs and for us to expand operations?
• Is the property laid out in useful manner? Can it be separated into noisy/dusty and quiet/clean areas?
• Can we do all the same things we can do now at this property or will something be restricted?
• How favorable is the location?
• Is the price appropriate?
• Is there a ventilation system set up or can one be set up in the property?
• Is there heating and air conditioning?
• Is there a bathroom and what condition is it in?
• How secure are entrances and exits? How secure can the property be made?
• How easy will it be to bring material in and out of the property?
• How is parking near this property?
• Will we have 24/7 access to the property and do we have restrictions on operations outside of business hours (for example due to residential neighbors)?
• How much will utilities run at this property?
• Will Comcast (or better) serve our Internet needs at this property?
• How good is the electrical at this property? How many breakers do we have? How easy is the panel to access?
• What is the timeframe for making the decision?
• What are the terms of the lease? Is it NNN? Is anything unusual?
• Is there a slop sink and/or a kitchen sink?
• Are there kitchen appliances at this property? Can we install our own?
• Is there 3 phase power and/or can it be made available?
• Will we be able to weld or do metal work in the property?
• Can we do automotive work in/near/behind this property?
• Is there laundry in or near the property?
• Does the property manager have other properties available that we can consider relocating to at a later date?

Leads

• http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/off/4805324492.html
  • Status: Agocs called 2015-01-09
  • Agocs and Dima visited on 2015-01-10 16:00
  • Looks OK, wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, but probably no
  • http://agocs.smugmug.com/Other/556-West-37th-St/
• http://podmajersky.com/gallery_retail.htm
  • Status: Agocs emailed 2015-01-09
  • Got an awesome email back from David, who did a lot of research into our space independently
• http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/off/4836787676.html
• http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/off/4793798703.html

Potential Spaces

TBD