Sprawled Out: The Search for Community in the American Suburb

The New Shape of Office Space | Planetizen

The New Shape of Office Space | Planetizen.

"Coworking is rapidly emerging as a meme for the reorganization of knowledge work among entrepreneurs, programmers, writers and even, as we learned during our visits, sustainable furniture designers. The majority of discussions of the social implications of the Internet on the evolution of work and cities revolve around concepts such as the virtual office, online collaboration, and telecommuting. But, coworking communities (and related phenomenon that have grown out of the culture of the open source movement such as MeetUps and BarCamps) illustrate the ways in which these emergent forms of organizing are deeply embedded in physical places and, at the same time, enabled by new technologies such as laptops and wireless networks.

As the material artifacts of offices – messages, documents, photos and plans - are digitized and stored on servers, physical spaces have the potential to become increasingly open, flexible and sharable. Data security concerns aside, one can imagine a future scenario when most of the tools that we need to work effectively will be accessed and stored in “the cloud”. This allows the dynamic reorganization and co-location of people, firms and activities that have been separated since the early days of industrialization, the advent of the hierarchical firm and the rise of cities themselves. For example, an office building might house a conference room that doubles as an entertainment room for the co-located apartments. Such arrangements will require new ways of thinking about private and semi-private spaces, trust and security, and ownership and property."

In lieu of the (cancelled) Economic Development Commission meeting ...

... there will be an organizational meeting of "my" subcommittee (screenshot of Franklin's online meeting calendar above), which is exploring the creation of a commercial coffee shop/co-working facility on the city-owned land between the Public Library and Fire Station #1 (or thereabouts).

That's right: Like Leslie Knope of PARKS AND RECREATION, I have a subcommittee.

An invitation to attend has gone out to each member of the Economic Development Commission; however, potential participation is not confined to the EDC, so an agenda item will allow those in attendance to suggest possible members.

Having never so much as attended a city subcommittee meeting before, actually running one should be quite... interesting.

Coffee Shop/Co-Working project gets some ink

From the Franklin Citizen (no web site, unfortunately):

By Andrew C, Westbrook
Franklin Citizen staff writer

The City of Franklin Common Council approved further investigation of a  potential new commercial development near Lions Legend Park, Tuesday. 

The potential development was discussed as a mixed-use, community-based coffee shop with "co-working"  space. 

John Michlig asked the council to place the item on Tuesday's agenda after  it was discussed at length at the April 26 meeting of the Economic Development  Commission, of which he is a part. 

Michlig said the idea would be for the project to potentially be a community incubator that could involve  various educational groups, such as the Milwaukee School of Engineering,  Milwaukee Area Technical College or Franklin High School. 

The development, Michlig wrote in a letter to Mayor Tom Taylor, was suggested to also involve private commercial entities, as well, including possible philanthropic grants to co-fund and  operate facilities. 

The suggestion discussed at the meeting was that students entering into  businesses could learn in a hands-on way. 

"If you want to learn business, you can run a business," Michlig said. 

The idea is still in the experimental phase, and the EDC only sought, and  was given by the council, permission  to continue investigating to see what  potential is truly there by meeting with  various groups, 

However, the issue of location  became a concern, as the initial site talked about would be between the  Franklin Library and Fire Station 1, an  area the Fire Department listed as one they would like to expand their already cramped facility. 

It was suggested by Alderman Steve Olson that, as the fire department pro-  posed expanding for dorms and office space on that side of the building and  because their current dorm and office  spaces are on the east side of the building, a potential alternative would be  expansion of the tire station to the southeast side of their property instead. 

Most in attendance were in favor of the idea. 

Mayor Taylor noted that the idea  could potentially help create a greater  sense of community.

A long journey begins: The project is now official

Click on picture to embiggen

At last night's Common Council meeting I presented  a short description of my coffeeshop/co-working plan for the city civic center, and the council voted unanimously to allow myself and fellow Economic Development Commissioners to make queries in the city's name. It's a tiny step, but a vote of confidence for exploring this sort of nonstandard approach to encouraging economic development and active community space.

It was not without potholes. Not even an hour before the meeting, the mayor emailed me to note that he now recalled that the fire chief did indeed have possible plans to expand the fire department building and may desire the plot of land under discussion. Also, alderman Tim Solomon made it known at a meeting the night before that he was 100% against non-park, non-fire department usage of the land. Fortunately, there is quite a bit of open space in the area pictured above in which the concept could work; the building doesn't have to sit exactly where I initially planned. I was gratified by the unanimous affirmative vote and the supportive comments made from the council dais.

So, at this stage we question and query the "tentpoles"; MATC, Franklin High School, the Library (I met and enjoyed a long conversation with a library trustee last night; I'll speak at their next meeting), fire department, etc.

The idea is to gather the needed elements and put a "situation" in place so a Kinkos/FedEx or local-owned/franchise coffee shop can come in and feel comfortable with a nonstandard setup; one that enlivens community life, has an excellent educational and vocational training component, engages the "creative class," and stirs further walkable "commercial amenity" development in the area.

And off we go ...

Baby steps: Request for Council Action

 
ABOVE: A rather ambitious vision of co-working space

To move mountains, start with a scoopful of sand.

Here is the admittedly low-ball request for council action (hard to say "no" to something that costs nothing and obligates no one) related to my community co-venture coffee shop/co-working space scheme:

_______

At their regular meeting on 4/26/09, the Economic Development Commission discussed an item that proposes the City encourage a community-based development on the site of the former Schleutter residence adjacent to Fire Station 1, the Library and Lions Legend Park. The discussion centered around development of a coffee shop with facilities for “co-working” space, with a patio area. The presentation suggested that the development act as a community incubator and involve various educational and private commercial entities—including possible philanthropic grants—to co-fund and operate the facilities; thus, it is an economic development project with educational and community-building elements.
 
The Commission now requests that the Common Council permit members of the EDC to enter into discussions with numerous groups regarding the concept and development of such a project, and hold these discussions as representatives of the city.
 
It is important to remember that the idea is at the conceptual level and many issues must be dealt with prior to returning to the Common Council for formal approval of a plan and commitments being made.
 
 
Council Action:
 
Motion to authorize various members of the Economic Development Commission to discuss the possibility of a mixed-use community-based “coffee shop/co-working space” with interested parties and develop a plan for possible implementations.

Franklin EDC meeting notes, Part 3: Get creative

I promised part 3 would end my report on Monday night’s Economic Development meeting on a high note. Frankly, I had no where to go but up (see part 1 and part 2).

My last item on the agenda was titled simply: “Discussion Relating to City-Owned Land Between Fire Station and Public Library - Member Michlig.”

Call it a challenge. Call it a symbol. Call it tilting at windmills.

Some background:

Franklin has never had any sort of “downtown”; in fact, city leaders have long disagreed on where the “city center” is. The strip mall intersection at Rawson and 76th? The new Shoppes at Wyndham Village? Sendik’s and long-languishing Fountains of Franklin at Rawson and 51st?

In truth, the only real -- and well-used, by the way -- public space in Franklin is the Public Library. It’s next to a public park, which in turn is next to a subdivision that has paths connecting it to the large play areas, tennis courts and shelters. Rental housing and apartment buildings stand on the other park border, and City Hall is in the same area. Senior apartments are only a few yards south. It’s a unique multi-purpose area in town. I’ve blogged before about the incredible amount of available space in this area -- the library is surrounded by a huge lawn, for instance.

So what’s missing? Despite the presence of residential (owners and renters, young and old), municipal (library, city hall, police station) and park zones, a piece is badly needed.

As it happens, the city recently bought a house that sits between the library and the firehouse. The property is on a corner, separated from the library by a street and the residential areas by the park. Because of asbestos contamination, the whole structure will be removed, leaving an empty parcel of land.

Click to embiggen

Here is a short sketch of the proposal/challenge/Quixotic quest I described to the EDC:

The city of Franklin, along with partners that will become apparent, builds on the site where the residence once was a COFFEE SHOP and CO-WORKING SPACE. Two stories, built right up to the sidewalk (no setback) on two sides (no drive-thru), with a courtyard in back that segues into the park - a beautiful public space that sits at the intersection of the library and the park that residential neighborhoods can easily access on foot.

The missing piece!

Following a model established at the Blatz building in Milwaukee, where Milwaukee School of Engineering students run the building’s cafe, the city partners with Milwaukee Area Technical College; the students, as part of MATC curriculum, run the coffee shop, handling everything from accounting to grinding beans. Franklin High School can also be involved, as students can work there for credit.

Want to learn business? Run a business!

Want to encourage wonderful public space around a commercial amenity? Build an example for others to follow!

Corporate sponsorship is not at all out of the question: OfficeMax, FedEx/Kinkos, Starbucks, Dunn Bros., Starbucks, Northwestern Mutual Foundation, etc. A community/educational/economic development effort like this is something great to be associated with.

• The project acts as a "development laboratory," wherein the city can show by example what sort of development we'd like to see. Along the way, we'll also learn a lot about flaws in the developer-city process and relationship that we can address as they appear.
• In tough economic times, planning and building a community asset like this acts as a potent symbol of our confidence in Franklin. Why should we expect business to take root here if we're not willing to do it ourselves as well?
• At long last, a vibrant,  multi-use city center will begin to emerge.
• The facility is an educational asset to MATC and Franklin High School.
• The project will bring together the talents and passions of the community: local craftsmen and contractors pitching in; creative minds devising site plans and architecture; business leaders donating assets and money; etc.
• Open space adjacent to the cafe can be used for, among other events, monthly or bi-monthly Farmers' Markets coordinated with market events held in St. Martins.
• Franklin will at last have a "third place" for people to lounge, work, surf the net, read and meet. No more driving to Borders and Barnes & Noble in Greenfield.
• The co-working facilities -- both paid-by-the-month space and free work areas -- will be desirable to the growing corps of "free agents," newly freelance, and mobile workers.
• It'll be a great stop for residents of Waterford and Burlington on their way to and from the freeway.

As they advise in vaudeville, go out on a high note.

After facing blank stares (and worse) earlier in meeting while talking about complete streets, smart growth, and preparing for transit (see part 1 and part 2), this idea seemed to resonate with everyone in the room.

So it's off to the Common Council to get authorization for a subcommittee to pursue the idea.

I'll call it a happy ending. For now.

Economic Development Commission tonight: Longer than nine minutes

Economic Development Meeting tonight at 6pm. After the last meeting lasted a mere 9 minutes, I decided it was time to get a bit more proactive.

Well, actually a lot more proactive; I have seven items on the agenda (you can download the EDC agenda and meeting packet here: Download EDC_Meeting_Packet_4-27-09.)

One item in particular will be discussed in much greater detail as the ball gets rolling:

G. Discussion Relating to City-Owned Land Between Fire Station and Public Library - Member Michlig

Coffee shops and the digital nomad (or, man without an office haunts local java huts)

I've worked out of my home for the past 16 years. This means that for almost two decades I've had an established space in whatever apartment or home I happened to live in that was set aside for me and my work debris. My latest space was in my basement - - for the past seven years; time enough to accumulate quite a bit of "stuff" and the urge to purge.

The June floods took care of that; everything in my office was lost except for my computer and hard drives - - a virtual "reset" button.

A digression: My friend Doug owns a dump truck (which is pictured at right; and, yes, my stuff filled the dump truck and the dumpster seen in the picture, plus another dumpster). He was nice enough to bring it over so we could fill it with the accumulated debris of my career-to-now. When he returned from his trip to the dump, Doug walked over to me where I stood. I was exhausted and probably looked like a man who needed an encouraging word.

After a beat, Doug said; "On the bright side, your stuff slid out really good at the dump. No snags or nothing."

As I buy replacement stuff, I confess that my purchasing decisions are ever-so-slightly swayed by whether the item will "slide out nice" if disaster strikes again...

Anyhoo, with my basement now a bare-to-the-walls construction site, I have to get out of the house to work. My desktop Mac is in my bedroom now, but there's just no way to work there while the kids are on Summer break. So, being a two-Mac sort of guy, I get out with my laptop and do the digital nomad shuffle, camping at coffee shops and bookstores.

After over two months of being a cafe hobo, I've become quite discerning in what spots are most conducive to productivity. That's why I read with interest Greg Kowalski's speculation that 5-Star Coffee might be closing (not confirmed. 4/25/UPDATE: The employees on duty this morning report that the owner has assured them "not to worry about anything." Is that comforting when 5star.pdf is online?).

I'm a guy who tries to support local businesses when given a choice, but as I noted mere days before the flood, Starbucks made itself very attractive by offering free Wi-Fi at their locations after years partnering with T-Mobile for goofy pay Wi-Fi. Just get and register a Starbucks Card and you get Wi-Fi (plus free syrup shots or something; I just get black coffee so I'm not up on all that).

Here's a meta-moment: a shot of my little digital hobo camp as this very second as I compose this post:

5-Star offers free Wi-Fi as well - - so why don't I always go there? Turns out that, in addition to my desire to "mix it up,"  there are a great many subtle features that make one coffee shop or book store cafe better than another on a given day. I'll list them here in Part II - - but, right now, I really have to do real work; I have a basement reconstruction to pay for, you know.

Parade Prep

Parade Prep, originally uploaded by johnruexp.

What a beautiful day.

On my way to the library to set up yet another remote office (this time on the little outdoor deck, where I am right now), I met some forward-thinking Franklinites who are already setting up for tomorrow's 4th of July parade. They're getting a TENT up right now, and invited me to stop by tomorrow for bloody marys.

I will probably take them up on that.

But, once again, I'm reminded that the Franklin Library's barren and broad front lawn could sure use a coffee shop and/or public courtyard.

Fountains of Franklin: No tenants, but looking to build. Here's a suggestion -

(Image above from Cooltown Studios)

Let me make a (in light of my current situation, rather selfish) suggestion to the developers of Fountains of Franklin: TWO STORY BUILDINGS with co-working spaces up top - - WiFi, phones, electric, desks and chairs - - that collect nominal monthly/weekly/daily "user fees" whether or not the commercial spaces below are leased. Maybe a handy FedEx Kinko's Office and Print Center moves in. Starbucks loves these gatherings of coffee-swilling laptop pounders who can be counted on to show up every day (better yet, let a locally-owned coffeeshop get in there).

Imagine - - actual all-day foot traffic! People coming and going! Impromtu meetings in the greenspace! Bike racks!

Truth is, you should have done that with the ANDY'S building, which now has attractive empty windows on either side of the service station section of the building - no tenants.

C'mon - think outside the box already. Shoppes at Wyndham Village is certainly no threat to do something the least bit innovative or outside their build-a-stripmall kit - - make yourself stand out! Create a positive vibe over there!

Or build another strip mall.

See also:
Third place coffeehouses and coworking sites as economic development tools
Attract more creatives with 'anchored coworking'

From FranklinNow.com:

For the second time in six weeks the Plan Commission conditionally approved a plan for the next phase of the Fountains of Franklin Sendik's development. The Common Council has yet to cast its vote on the plan.

The $25 million to $30 million project would feature two commercial buildings totaling 39,700 square feet. Both structures, which do not have tenants yet, would be adjacent to the 61,500-square-foot Sendik's Fine Foods, a popular store that opened in November.

After reviewing revised architectural plans, the commission on June 19 conditionally approved a revised certified survey map for the next phase of the multiphase development in the 5300 to 5400 blocks of West Rawson Avenue. The commission called for more tweaking, particularly to the larger building's south elevation, which will face Rawson Avenue.

The commission approved a similar plan last month, but it was rejected the the Common Council on May 20.