[sudo-discuss] [omni-consensus] Delegates agenda item: new rooms construction proposal

Hi fellow sudoroom members! We need to deliberate as a collective on this proposal! in two weeks I'll be asked to report as a Sudoroom delegate and say what we've decided about this. You can view the proposal attachment here: http://omnicommons.org/pipermail/consensus/attachments/20220407/80fe1331/at… Primary discussion of this topic is in the "consensus" mailing list, which is open to all who are interested: https://omnicommons.org/lists/listinfo/consensus can someone please add this topic to the next Sudoroom meeting agenda? thank you -Jake ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 7 Apr 2022 14:20:28 -0700 From: Sarah Lockhart <sarah.ee.el(a)gmail.com> To: consensus <consensus(a)lists.omnicommons.org>rg>, building <building(a)lists.omnicommons.org> Subject: [omni-consensus] Delegates agenda item: new rooms construction proposal Summary: We are proposing to spend up to $7000 to build out two new rooms for long-term tenants / new member collectives; one on the mezzanine and one in the basement. Work will be done by skilled paid contractors but finishes can be done by volunteer labor. Basic drawing of proposed rooms is included as attachment. Proposed By: Sarah Lockhart & David Keenan (Building WG / Safer DIY Spaces) Context: In order to successfully refinance the current balance of the mortgage loan, Omni needs to regularly generate an additional $6500 a month. Creating these desirable private/secure rooms could generate between $1000 - $2000 a month, depending on how much we choose to charge for these spaces. This would reduce the pressure on requiring this $6500/month to be generated solely by events. In the view of banks and lenders, income from long-term tenants is more reliable than income from a volunteer-run events space. Rationale: In the past month, Omni has advertised via social media having space available for new member collectives and groups. We have fielded inquiries from many interested groups for having long-term space at Omni. Almost all of them expressed a desire for having a secure space (i.e. a room with a door that can lock). Omni currently only has 3 such spaces available that are not adjacent to the ballroom. The rooms adjacent to the ballroom would be more productively used in the service of event production. While Omni has historically wanted to maximize commoning of resources and having open shared spaces, the current needs of potential new member collectives and tenants are not fully aligned with that vision. They are amenable to some shared space, but they tend to want some space that is “theirs”. In order to keep the building, we believe it would be better to “build-to-suit” in the near term, while still retaining the common spaces that are currently being used in the original spirit. The areas we are proposing to build new rooms are currently common spaces that are not being used or are being significantly under-utilized. Details: New Mezzanine room: This room is something we had favorably discussed building for the PLP when they were looking for new space. We would build one wall with a door across the area that is currently storing the library books and shelving. We would also install operable plexiglass windows, so that the occupant of this room can have more sonic privacy or get greater airflow from the entrance hall. This room would be approximately 500 sq ft, and would “rent” for between $600/month (which would be a very generous rate) to upwards of $1500/month, while still being below market rate. Estimated cost: $3000 – the majority would relate to the materials and labor for installing the windows. New Basement room: This room would be 400 sq ft., twice as large as the existing basement offices. It would be built abutting the former FYE space and the rear of the space would be the south wall of the basement. We would only need to build two walls and install a door. We would likely have to install minimal electrical outlets, as the room would have use of the outlets installed last summer. We may need to install electrical outlets along the west wall of the basement to provide convenient power to the sewing area, which would be relocated there, between the door to go upstairs to Sudo Room and the storage area for The Free Store. When evaluating the space at Omni for potential enclosure, we focused on areas of the building that were currently unused / under-utilized. The existing “media lab” was one of those spaces, apart from the sewing area. The rest of the media lab would be dismantled. Omni members and collectives would have first “dibs” on items they want to relocate to their spaces. Any remaining supplies, furniture, and equipment would be donated to local schools, arts education programs, other community groups, or the East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse down the street whose mission is supplying the community with donated arts and crafts supplies. Estimated cost: $4000 - labor and material for building two walls (including drywall), installing a door that locks, and some electrical work.