Whitaker front page

SEPTEMBER:  After the Open House events in the spring potential tenants begin asking about leasing space in the Whitaker Building. We are still working to gain control of the building either by lease or purchase. There is over 33,000 square feet to lease and we have verbal agreements for over 20,000! Preliminary plans have been drawn. We have estimates for the cost of rehabilitation, mostly new bathrooms and other mechanical improvements. An environmental assessment has been completed and a small fuel oil leak was discovered. Efforts are underway for the owner to clean the soil. Our next step is to further refine cost estimates and perhaps find a development partner.

Here are some PRELIMINARY drawings of how the space might be divided up:





And check out an architectural rendering of what the new space might look like:



We held a Tire Kick open house for interested folks and prospective tenants on April 2, 2011. We hit the front page of the Tuesday April 5th St. Paul Pioneer Press in
this article. In case the link is broken, here is the article as well.

Here is the April 7, 2011 edition of the on-line Twin Cities Daily Planet featuring an article by Deb Pleasants about us.Take a look at some photos from the Tire Kick:



Our goal is to establish a fully-equipped workshop for Studio Bricolage, our revolutionary community art, technology and engineering program, plus Leo’s Loft, the teen program at Leonardo’s Basement. Shared work space will include wood and metalworking equipment, art and craft materials, automotive equipment, computer design center and other services. The former car dealership contains 40,000 sq ft, twice as much as Studio Bricolage needs. We are seeking tenants to sublet space. If you know individuals or groups looking for a place to build, meet, teach or do business, invite them to take a look. The well-maintained building includes a beautiful showroom, garage service area with 18’ ceiling and a lots of multi-purpose and storage space. We know that the rent will be below market rate and we are developing specific numbers.

Questions? Contact Steve Jevning at 612-220-3171 or stevej@leonardosbasement.org