Hello DMS,
The team has met and regrouped on the strategy going forward. The strategy framework has been given to the board and was approved Monday night.
Team status:
To get around the lack of a general contractor we have asked Rich Meyer to function as the general contractor for the overall project. He has the qualifications and he is willing to volunteer his time to the cause. To support Rich in this we will be adding several members to the team:
David Ratcliff
Art Givens
Joshua Wims
Adnan Chahbandar
The following original members of the Expansion Team will also remain involved in various capacities:
Alex Rhodes
James Henningson
Stan Simmons
Adam Oas
The board is still accepting applications for the team. Please send them your info if you are interested in being involved. We especially need people with trade experience, so if you are an electrician or plumber or if you have construction management experience we would love to hear from you.
We have also identified a number of volunteer opportunities that can be done by anyone who is interested in helping without joining the team. Opportunities will be posted on a Trello board that we will display publicly. The board is here, with some of the tasks we already know. You can sign up for tasks but please don’t start the tasks until we give the go-ahead based on the building permit.
There will also be a whiteboard at the space that will be displayed for those that don’t use Trello or are looking for more ad-hoc volunteer opportunities.
The plan strategy:
Our goal is to get a building permit that will allow us to complete the minimum requirements to join the two suites and get a Certificate of Occupancy. This will get us in the space but will not allow us full use of the space. We will need to phase the work after the initial certification. Each phase will allow us to move more groups into their promised area. By the end of the full project, all of the committee areas will be built out as promised.
After the initial certificate of occupancy is granted for phase 1 we will move the following groups into the front of the new space:
- Printmaking
- Science (water and drain access will be after phase 1)
- Vector
- Glass (They will not be able to run the big kilns until ventilation is in place)
- Electronics
- 3D fab (they will not be able to fully move until phase 2 is complete due to insufficient electrical)
- Common room
In the suite 104 side of the building, we will be able to move creative arts into the old common room, freeing up the CA room to become a classroom. CA will not have the digital media room until digital media is able to move into the old electronics area after their construction is complete. The area that science and vector occupied will become a staging area for the rest of the committees to use for their individual moves.
When we get to the move phase we will need to recruit volunteers to coordinate the move for each committee. If you are passionate about any specific committee and would like to be involved in their move and setup let us know and we can put you to work.
Phase 2 will likely cover mostly electrical upgrades to allow us to move the areas in the back that have bigger requirements, however, we aren’t setting that in stone yet since we want to be able to adapt the plan based on the outcome of Phase 1.
Each step of the way we are considering all possible cost savings, so please keep the suggestions coming, it’s been very helpful.
Phase 1 Scope of Work:
We still have some TBD dates in for bids and other dependencies. Those will be updated as soon as we know and posted in a project plan that will be shared.
Objectives: Receive the Certificate of Occupancy for Suite 102, and combine both Suites 102 and 104 as a single unit. Define a limited scope to expedite the process.
Requirements and Specifications: Create a new Building Permit Application, must comply with 2018 Building Codes. Drawing mark-ups of existing approved Permit Application can be used.
Approach: Minimal structural and electrical work;
- Cut new doorway in the demising wall through the current Electronics Lab,
- Repair all ceiling tiles throughout both 102 and 104, - 104 side is complete
- Mount all Fire Extinguishers in 102, - Completed by David
- Install Fire Annunciators in 102,
- Install lighted exit signs throughout both 102 and 104,
- Install Emergency Push Bars with local alarms to all exit doors in 102 and 104,
- Add Security keypads to all entrance doors,
- Add Braille signage to all Restrooms, - Completed
- Add ADA compliant push plates on all entrance/exit doors,
- Remove water fountain in 104 hallway,
- Install dual ADA compliant water fountain in 104 hallway alcove area (by Coffee Pot)
Schedule:
- Get Contractor quotes TBD
1.1 Plumbing Quote - Alex Rhodes is the point on this
1.2 Security company quote for emergency push bars - Stan Simmons is the point of contact
1.3 Fire Annunciators installation - working with the landlord to get this covered by their installer - Create the Building Permit Application - TBD
- Submit Permit Application – Review and Approval takes 5-7 days
- Permit cost: $125 plus $6 per every $1,000 of construction costs
- After approval, Building Permit is issued, construction can start
- After construction is complete, clean up area,
- Request for City Inspections – (1-2 days)
- Certificate of Occupancy is issued upon approval of Inspections.
- Dallas Makerspace will now be Suite 104 only, Suite 102 will no longer exist in City records.
The TBD dates will be filled out in a public project plan as soon as the estimates start coming in.
Thank you all who have stepped forward to volunteer and those who will be volunteering. We are making progress and hope to have very visible results soon.
Thanks, James
