Offer on downtown space

[Jordan Van Aalsburg]

Fellow Makers-

Recently James and I got in contact with the property manager for the downtown
space <http://davismakerspace.org/downtown-space>.
It is still available, but he encouraged us to make an offer as soon as
possible. The board
of directors then met and agreed to make an offer.

THE DETAILS:

Rent, plus insurance, would completely exhaust our current income. This
would mean
that our plans to build a 3D printer (or anything else for that matter)
would be have to be
put on hold.

However, we would have a physical space of our own, which I think will help
us recruit
more members.

I'll copy the proposal below, but since this is such a big decision I think
we should all be
on the same page. So...

If you are a voting member (meaning you paid dues this month) please let us
know what
you think. If you are not a voting member you can also voice your opinion,
but the decision
to move forward on this will be decided by voting members as defined in our
bylaws.

If there are no objections to the proposal we will submit it to the
property manager on
Friday.

-Jordan


THE PROPOSAL:


Michael,

Greetings.  We've discussed the property opportunity with our group and
we've agreed to put in an offer.  As you've pointed out, trying to
determine a fair value for the space is difficult.  Only the top level
(700 square feet) is safely accessible, there's limited power access
(outlets), the entrance way fails ADA compliance, and there's no water
or heat.  Since our group is incorporated as a charitable social club,
we can probably work within the limitations of the space, but it makes
comparisons and price evaluations difficult.

Looking at other options on 2nd Street, 5th Street, and in the downtown
area, we feel comfortable offering $225 per month.  This would equate to
nearly $3000 a year in "free money" for the owner.  We can only
commit to a month-to-month rate, but we would be willing to renegotiate
terms at the end of one year.  In addition, we could work (at our cost)
to make the lower space safely accessible and could investigate other
improvements to the space.  We would, of course,  supply proof of
insurance before initiating any such improvements.  You said the owner
also owns the Court N Cedar properties.  Would we be able to get a key
to the wash-rooms included with the rent?

Does this sound like an acceptable offer?  We agree with your desire to
move quickly and should have no trouble proceeding as a group.

Cheers,

Jordan Van Aalsburg / James R Holliday
Davis Makerspace
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