Comments on: Hacker Dojo Needs Your Help

By: Ubiquity Robot Team’s “12 Tasks of Hercules” - IT Clips

Ubiquity Robot Team’s “12 Tasks of Hercules” - IT Clips — Mon, 20 May 2013 04:35:49 +0000

[…] update: At their booth in Expo Hall at this weekend’s Maker Faire, I also got an update on the zoning compliance issue that almost shut down Hacker Dojo. Their crowd funding campaign was a success but after presenting […]

By: MAKE | Ubiquity Robot Team’s “12 Tasks of Hercules”

MAKE | Ubiquity Robot Team’s “12 Tasks of Hercules” — Sun, 19 May 2013 18:00:21 +0000

[…] At their booth in Expo Hall at this weekend’s Maker Faire, I also got an update on the zoning compliance issue that almost shut down Hacker Dojo. Their crowd funding campaign was a success but after presenting […]

By: Robert Welch (@BatteryRandD)

Robert Welch (@BatteryRandD) — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 23:23:23 +0000

I’ve been studying this issue as I travel to different Make spaces. Images posted on various Make space web pages reveal that Hacker Dojo is obviously not the worst of the offenders. So it is a matter of time before other spaces will find that they are in the same situation as Hacker Dojo.

That being said, Hacker Dojo failed to apply for a permit and failed to exercise due diligence with regards to the use of commercial property.

Referring to the National Fire Protection Association Standard 101 – The Life Safety Code regarding “Occupancy Loading.”

Business 100 ft^2/person Gross
Vocational 50 ft^2/person Net

Also the 50 occupant person limit – exit doors that swing out.

Requirements that need to be addressed in developing a sustainable business model. Failure to do so masks the issue that Make spaces may only thrive in a few select locations.

By: Poet

Poet — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 20:48:35 +0000

This location looks to be a commercial type zoned rental. I would press the landlord to get onto the code requirements. If you fine folk own the place I would consider potential regional resources. Colleges and Universities may have grants or endowments relating to community education and or engineering/ technology related locations in the community. Having students and staff members as members of the Hacker space wouldn’t hurt. Home schooling groups need places to get student elective requirements. You could become a place for them to be their shop location. Rent or dues could be collected by those students. Youth groups like the 4H and Scouts could also need this kind of place to learn in. The local public school may also find renting your space to be a cost saving measure. Besides youth you get involved will pass on the DIY ideal. Look around where you are as sometimes stuff exists right next door. Good luck