Found a 3 bay garage...anyone want in?

[Haku]

Hey guys,

So there is a commercial property just up the street from me (Alameda and Harlan in Lakewood, about half a mile from the Belmar Shopping center) with a couple buildings that has been sitting vacant pretty much since I moved in. It had a sign out front with the Management companies name and who to contact. I figured it wouldn't hurt to see whether they would rent out the garage space separate from the rest of the property. My real hope was that I could maybe rent one garage space for two months for doing a bunch of stuff on my truck that I need to do, but they wouldn't go for that.

He did say that he would be willing to do a years lease on just that building, for $700 a month plus electricity. This got me thinking that there might be people on here that would maybe be interested in going in on this, as there has been discussion lately about this kind of thing. It is a 3 bay garage, and evidently has 3phase power, so it has plenty to power multiple high draw tools like welders, compressors, etc at the same time. It also has chain link around the whole place, with a barbed wire top, so its reasonably secure. I live about a block away too, so I can keep an eye on things too.

If I could find two other guys to commit to a years lease at the place, it would be $233 a month plus a three way split of the electricity/utilities. I haven't checked the place out inside, but it looks decent enough. I would be using my welder, compressor, tube bender, etc there. The other guys there would be welcome to use my compressor and welder, as long as you help pay for consumables and such.

Let me know if you are interested. The address is 275 South Jay Street, and its right on the other side of Jay street from the Autozone, behind a Mexican bakery kind place. A plow company is renting out the area next to the garage for storage, but the buildings are vacant at the moment.

JH

[Andrew]

First reading I thought $700 for the year but that didn't sound right.

[Haku]

No no no, $700 a month. I would have jumped on it in a second if it was $700 a year. I edited it to make that clearer. Was still fairly clear when I said $233 a month plus utilities though.

JH

[Andrew]

Yes but I hadn't got that far when I saw the $700 part lol.

[74fj40]

I MIGHT be interested. Would be nice to finish up my land cruiser and another project car I have sitting around...


How long are you thinking about renting it for? one year?

[74fj40]

BTW, got any pictures?

[Fordguy77]

have ya checked out the inside yet?

[Haku]

Dude says a year lease minimum. Might be able to talk him into 6 months though. He said he was maybe working something out with the owner of the building for me, not sure what that means though. Definitely need to have another dude along with this one though. Feel free to mention this to friends, but tell em it'll cost $350 a month so we don't have to pay as much:D.

JH

[Haku]

have ya checked out the inside yet?

Nope, not yet. If people are serious about it, I'll try to pin the guy down to have a look. Its fenced in, otherwise I would go have a peek through the windows (if there are any.....can't see any from the road but there might be some around the other side). The gate is open sometimes, so maybe I'll try to do that next time I see it during the day.

JH

[Fordguy77]

i might be interested, it all depends on how my work picture pans out, and what i will get when i file for unemployment this time.

[Haku]

Sorry, no picture of it at the moment. You can see an aerial view of it here though....

http://www.bing.com/maps/#JnE9eXAuMjc1K1NvdXRoK0pheStTdHJlZXQlMmMrTGFrZXdvb 2QlMmMrQ08lN2Vzc3QuMCU3ZXBnLjEmYmI9NjAuODg2NDQyMjM wMTUzNiU3ZS03OC44ODExODc0MzklN2UxMC45MTcwNzkzMDA3M zcxJTdlLTEzMS4wODgyMTg2ODk=

Go to "aerial" and click "Birds Eye". The building we would be leasing is the one with three white garage doors about a block off Alameda. There is an office building next to it, and some space around the building. There is a snow plow place renting the space next to the garage for storage, but they are currently the only tenant.

I know how it is on the unemployment thing. I'm nearing the end of mine, and am wondering if this whole "emergency unemployment" extension is going to be around and for how long.

JH

[Zatticus]

If I get a job soon I'd be interested in i t.
:)

[Haku]

If we get more then 3 interested in this, we could probably work out a schedule as far as using the bays go. Preferably, I'd like to keep it to me and two other guys though. We can always "rent" a space out for other people to use for projects while it sits open.

JH

[foxtrot]

if it was in the springs, I would jump on it in a heartbeat :(

[Zatticus]

How big are each of the bays?
Are the small or are they medium to bigger sized?

[Haku]

Not sure exactly since I haven't been in there......but from the outside it looks like they are plenty big and deep. Certainly enough room to have three rigs in there and still have room to move around. Can't say for sure till I have a look in there.

JH

[Zatticus]

I'll right.
I'm determined to get a decent job soon.
And then I'll be in.
:)

[Haku]

Sounds good.........I emailed the guy to see if I could go have a closer look at it.

JH

[Zatticus]

Awesome.
Hope he replies soon.
I wanna see some pictures.
D;

[Haku]

hehee........don't get your hopes up. Almost certainly won't respond until next week. He doesn't seem to check his email very often, but I guess we'll see. Maybe Friday is his day to check emails.

JH

[Zatticus]

Maybe, We'll find out soon.
;p

about when are you wanting to get it rented and all that?

[Haku]

Whenever it comes together really....I still don't have any definite "yes, I want to do this" confirmations yet. I was hoping to use it for projects and such in March and April, but I'm already into my big project, and the other big one could be done at home too. Right now its just a hypothetical thing. I was waiting to really go with it until I got some interest, which I now have (after it sat for a couple weeks with minimal responses).

JH

[Zatticus]

Haha, I see.

I never saw it until a couple days ago.
D;

[Fordguy77]

So as far as that statement went about work and such, i am going to be filing for unemployment Tuesday, as long as i get more than $89 a week and what the turbine season looks like this spring, i am am really considering, its in a pretty good location for me to be honest, A few miles from my grandparents where i have my 70 f100 project and the 72 fury, a few miles from kateys with the BII's, And not all that far from my 77 and 79. Granted i have finally figured out that i can only do one project at a time, but hey at least there all close!

[Haku]

Right on. I would think that you should be good to go. Did you fill out the benefits estimator by chance? It was pretty accurate for me. As long as its normal unemployment, you should get a decent amount and not have to worry about actually recieving it. I'm about to run out on mine, and waiting to see what the deal is with the extension bill getting passed.

JH

[Fordguy77]

Right on. I would think that you should be good to go. Did you fill out the benefits estimator by chance? It was pretty accurate for me. As long as its normal unemployment, you should get a decent amount and not have to worry about actually recieving it. I'm about to run out on mine, and waiting to see what the deal is with the extension bill getting passed.

JH
Well i haven't filled yet, not getting let go until monday.Last time i filled it was just with all my highschool jobs making minimum wage, 95% of them which i quit, so i was only about to draw 98 dollars a week. But seeing as i have a rear job now, and make considerably more, and out of my last 20 jobs in a year in a half have all been lay offs, so hopefully it'll get my payment higher up there. I am hoping for a good Turbine Season, i heard they are doing a complete over haul on the power plant in Bridger Wyoming, for the entire house, so it looks like i could hit 2-3 months of 7 12's come back and pay up front for the entire year, if this all goes through.

[Fordguy77]

Right on. I would think that you should be good to go. Did you fill out the benefits estimator by chance? It was pretty accurate for me. As long as its normal unemployment, you should get a decent amount and not have to worry about actually recieving it. I'm about to run out on mine, and waiting to see what the deal is with the extension bill getting passed.

JH
Ah they changed stuff again? cause when i ran out last June, they just let me roll over into an extension with the same benefits.

[Haku]

Emergency unemployment was set to expire on February 27th. As far as I know, they have at least extended it for a month while they deliberate on whether to extend it another year. If they do, it could get people from 13-46 weeks of extra benefits. This is a federal thing. As for applying, they base your payment on the previous 3 quarters of employment. As I recall, you get 60% of that, and I'm not sure what they actually consider to count towards it. I think, but I'm not sure, that they take into account all income, not just the stuff you were laid off/fired from, as long as the last employer did actually lay you off.

Out of curiosity...how does one become a Millwright and what are the qualifications? I have a decent amount of experience doing theatrical/concert rigging, using chain hoists and round slings and steel wire rope and such, and have taken several rigging courses. I know how to set lift points and such too. I'm certainly not qualified as a lead for it, but certainly have enough experience to be a mid to upper level grunt.

JH

[Fordguy77]

Emergency unemployment was set to expire on February 27th. As far as I know, they have at least extended it for a month while they deliberate on whether to extend it another year. If they do, it could get people from 13-46 weeks of extra benefits. This is a federal thing. As for applying, they base your payment on the previous 3 quarters of employment. As I recall, you get 60% of that, and I'm not sure what they actually consider to count towards it. I think, but I'm not sure, that they take into account all income, not just the stuff you were laid off/fired from, as long as the last employer did actually lay you off.

Out of curiosity...how does one become a Millwright and what are the qualifications? I have a decent amount of experience doing theatrical/concert rigging, using chain hoists and round slings and steel wire rope and such, and have taken several rigging courses. I know how to set lift points and such too. I'm certainly not qualified as a lead for it, but certainly have enough experience to be a mid to upper level grunt.

JH

Oh ok, well i am good because i am filing a brand new claim, my last one expired11/11/09. Um as far as becoming a millwright, there are a couple of different ways, theres the union approach, and non union. My dad actually works for the district council for the millwrights and carpenters for all over Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, West Half of Missouri. So i took the union approach. There is a 4 year apprenticeship program, with the school located over by i70 and holly by north field. You basically work at places like Coors, or Purina, powerhouses, and any industrial type place. Most of the rigging aspects of it come into play in the powerhouse work, which has 2 seasons, spring and fall. But its also used in erecting machines and such. You get paid scale of what a journeymen makes for the 4 year program, the first year is fixed at 65% and then 5% raises every 6 months for the reaming 3 years. It also comes with vacation fund, healthcare, pension, and an annuity. I am at 75% and make 20.60 an hour. If that gives you any idea of the pay scale. All you really have to do is go down to the apprenticeship over off of Smith road and holly st, on a Tuesday or Thursday morning and can apply for application. Where you can be put on a list to be sent out to work on a permit trial. Or you can attempt to take the journeymen test, and attempt to receive credit in the areas where you understand mechanics and rigging and such. I believe testing in is the best route. We've been slow with work like every other trade, but we always have power house work in the spring and fall, and in 2011 there is supposed to be a big boom in the industry.

[Haku]

Cool, I might have to look into that if I can't find work in my current field. Not a huge fan of unions, but if that one is reasonable then I'll look into it. Is the non-union route similar? In other words, is it a multi-year apprenticeship kind of thing or do you have to go to school on your own dime and then hope to find a job? I'm really hoping that my industry (entertainment production) picks up, but am kinda scared that it might not before I run out of time to find something.

JH

[Fordguy77]

Cool, I might have to look into that if I can't find work in my current field. Not a huge fan of unions, but if that one is reasonable then I'll look into it. Is the non-union route similar? In other words, is it a multi-year apprenticeship kind of thing or do you have to go to school on your own dime and then hope to find a job? I'm really hoping that my industry (entertainment production) picks up, but am kinda scared that it might not before I run out of time to find something.

JH
yeah i can understand not being a fan of unions, it my honest opinion it all depends on the union, this is one of the better ones i do believe, its taken care of my family for over 20 years. The union side of life the schooling is free, and you only go once every three months for a week. I know red rocks offers a course in "millwrighting" but its not even worth taking IMHO. The non union route has apprentice programs, but i am not sure how they work, i'll see if i can get a hold of my friend bob, he used to be a non union millwright, be joined the union after worker treatment issues and such. But i do believe the non union side is all in house schooling, and not set up the way our program is.

[Haku]

So the dude finally got back to me about having a look at this place. I'm meeting him at 2pm today, and I'll bring the camera along. The project where it would have been very useful to have this space is nearly done now, but I'm sure I could find other uses for it too. Still have to build a cage and such.

JH

[Haku]

Pics for ya'll. Place is pretty decent actually. No room for a 4 post lift, but its got decent lighting and some work benches. Appologies in advance for all the hairs in some of the pics, need to clean out my camera again.

The outside

http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pIZXuOM_NeEULvlRSfbJq39SJznpZp0lV6gzA6dClh3bQz1T UdqO31hrVjLj7AlD3qSjSbd6jEQ6SQZUZPdAOZQ/7.jpg

http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pPAgbwENXQZ7sxcYAODs5tEHcPQhrVa9Vqsq8fC3CI9X2d2u QtKfyHMgFomKtykkiv4BhXO9dYmBN0A_ZShCdtQ/8.jpg

http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pEaeAI48Yc9-H24HR3UQhMHBBosnDGPEJhvVTd34Wwaby-rhoK-WmA9oTj0UT67aemHOME7CAxvJ4lyqASWo2xw/9.jpg

Currently, there is a wall between the furthest right bay and the other two. As the person doing this deal, I reserve the right to the seperate bay:D.

http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pcmNk4r-9_yhkc8GaN58QhjZ8PPf6OoUKHy-Ix-qtS8g2hBXRUMYFZca47L-V0cmGFOxjUHhCbV8ogvOI6AWkFQ/5.jpg

http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pUrdhcP303CKDqyXISKOUvYCbagr8y13j9smTvEl66UdtrTT uWhgcjK23GU7uX8cs0GqxJvpLQm52IT2gbglEjg/6.jpg

Both parts are a bit of a mess, but Kirby, the management guy, said he would have it cleaned out before we moved in. I'll have more pictures of the other part of the building in the next post.

JH

[Haku]

So here is the other part. All the doors open, and there is a storage area behind the place with a covered roof but nothing to keep it "secure". All the doors lock to the interior of the building though.

http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pbcUvuNjr8Z95RHKHunpYbqL7Hj0Gdp7TyJjG2XxaytBWCkK lDt8s8ygkfWVGqy2VW2HRf33rfDtfxWsLvr35Zg/1.jpg

The white door goes to the covered storage area
http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pGTglVUROKVhSNLQLYDdDPDh4AWtDElnuyZ_8-_sy9F0wzg815oiiMnkzrMbmT8jztTqFTlLMQHQgcdvCLsbD_Q/2.jpg

http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pCYslqOiPkpaOHhCWB5ykTggC-bOXw5RQVCdzGsnMT1wg2YM8JNNcahnT_UUxysOeOiWnMgPffs4 zFoM39tT_mw/3.jpg

The Storage area out back...
http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pkwTlfb1CkARFFHiRYCP3CwnRsaDtWUJE7vTxLZbsszqx2Vu ThLBq87eox2ViMVe_Y8Nj7vKq5PFL-wQV50xGmQ/4.jpg

Area has a fence with barbed wire all the way around, and a locked sliding gate. There is a snow plow company that uses the area next to the building for storage, but not sure how much longer their stuff will be there. Kirby says he prefers a 6 month or longer lease, but would consider a 3 month lease. He says he has a long term plan to redevelop it, and is just looking for some trustworthy people to bring a bit of income and keep an eye on the place.

Each part of this building has both 120v and 220v power hookups. Looks like there are security sensors in there too, but I didn't see a number pad inside that building (might be in the "offices" next door). He says he would do $700 a month plus electricity for the whole building, but would also consider doing $250 a bay plus electricity. I think there is a chance I/we could go a bit lower, but not totally sure.

My residence is about 100 yards away, so I'll at least be pursuing renting out the one separate bay.

JH

[Fordguy77]

So what do you think the total cost would be per person? the pics look like it might work out well for some away from home work, i really dont have anywhere at all to work on anything other than the street or the GF's driveway if i can manage to convince her dad he can park on the street for 4 hours and nothing will happen. So it really has my interest, since its getting down in price!

[Fordguy77]

Also what are the rules on the lease? as far as changing anything on the building?

[Fordguy77]

only major thing that i dont life is that i see what looks to be a 8 ft door...would need to go get some tiny tires....

[Haku]

8 feet is about right I would say. I know my truck will fit in there, but something lifted significantly more might have issues.

Not sure on the lease, as he didn't have one on him. What kind of modifications would you want to make? It seems rather informal, but it still will have a lease and has to be approved by the owner of the property.

As for total cost, I don't really know what kind of electrical bill we'll see with this kind of use. Can't imagine it would be all that much, since there is no heater or water hookups, and no bathroom (there is autozone and a storefront nearby though, and I live a block away) so it would just be enough to run lights and whatever tools we have. I haven't had to think about electrical bills since I moved into my current place two years ago, since utilities are included. I'm guessing that if you planned on spending $300 a month you'd be more then set.

So I know you are fairly seriously intereste (3 month?, 6 month?). Anyone else who is also seriously interested? He said there is a definite possibility that the deal could be done by April 1st. Currently, I'm at 80% or so sure that I want to do this. I would have preferred it started earlier since I'm hoping to have the truck done by the Anniversary trip, but we'll see.

JH

[Fordguy77]

i am at about 80% as well, if we could find one more person i would almost instantly go 100%. As far as mods go, To be honest i am not sure, just thought its better to ask before it bites us in the end. The only real thing that i would like is maybe some upgraded door locks and such, and maybe someway to make something so that we can secure things used in that back storage section. Granted your not far from it, security is one of the things i would like to ensure. Well whatever works out best for you to be honest, i am not likely to have a garage or anything time soon, as i am saving up to buy my grandparents house when they retire, and thats still a few years out so i am just boarding with the folks for now. With the GF working, and after i did the estimator for UIB, i am fine with around $300 or so a month.

[Fordguy77]

8 feet is about right I would say. I know my truck will fit in there, but something lifted significantly more might have issues.
My only concern then would be the 2 full size rigs i sport, but they take the same wheel pattern, so imagine that i could pic up a small set of tires, and be ok. I believe the 77 is somewhere around 7 feet at the cab and the 79 is on the same set up. So 8 may be close but clear

[Haku]

I think it will probably be more like $250 a month each if we get another person, but I won't really know till the first utilities bill. I'm also waiting on Unemployment stuff before I can decide, so we'll see if my EUC stuff comes through.

Its reasonably secure with the fence around, but you never know. The locks seemed decent if not bomb proof. That rear storage area could potentially just have a fence put over it to keep people and large critters out. The only man sized door is the one going towards that rear storage area, the rest just use the roll up doors. I know at least one of them had a padlock attachment on it, so thats another option too.

JH

[Fordguy77]

I think it will probably be more like $250 a month each if we get another person, but I won't really know till the first utilities bill. I'm also waiting on Unemployment stuff before I can decide, so we'll see if my EUC stuff comes through.

Its reasonably secure with the fence around, but you never know. The locks seemed decent if not bomb proof. That rear storage area could potentially just have a fence put over it to keep people and large critters out. The only man sized door is the one going towards that rear storage area, the rest just use the roll up doors. I know at least one of them had a padlock attachment on it, so thats another option too.

JH

Oh alright so things are a little more secure than they appear to be. I just got my mail, guess i should of looked in the box earlier, and i will be getting around 420 a week, so i am good if i am employed or not. Yeah i have no idea about the utilities either, i suppose it all comes down to how much time we are all spending down there, but i imagine if it is just sitting there when no one is a round that it cant get to high.

[scout man]

my house is rarely much over $100 a month, and it is poorly insulated, usually has some form of light on 24/7, me running tools in the garage, and lots of lights/tvs/computers in the evenings. I would think just running tools you would be under $50 a month pretty easily.

[Fordguy77]

my house is rarely much over $100 a month, and it is poorly insulated, usually has some form of light on 24/7, me running tools in the garage, and lots of lights/tvs/computers in the evenings. I would think just running tools you would be under $50 a month pretty easily.

thanks for the idea, that helps a lot.

[Fordguy77]

The more i think about it, the more it seems like it would work out well for me. So at this point i am 99% sure and will let you know in the next day or so.

[Fordguy77]

Just talked to the GF and we are in, if your in.

[Haku]

I'd really like another person to join in, if we can find them. Its a bit hard to have two of us and not a third, rather then 1 person who wants just the separate bay. Any other local guys want in on this? Not gonna find a workshop with enough space to breath for cheaper. Lets give it a few days and then see where we stand. I don't think its gonna get swept up from under us before then.

3 month lease or a 6 month lease sound better to you Chris?

JH

[Speedwagon]

I'd really like another person to join in, if we can find them. Its a bit hard to have two of us and not a third, rather then 1 person who wants just the separate bay. Any other local guys want in on this? Not gonna find a workshop with enough space to breath for cheaper. Lets give it a few days and then see where we stand. I don't think its gonna get swept up from under us before then.

3 month lease or a 6 month lease sound better to you Chris?

JH

Is there room outside to store a boat? I currently have a boat in a storage lot(along with my Ranger), at $55 a month. My interest in this place you have would go up significantly, if I could move my outside storage stuff there.

There is always the option of renting out a bay for a day to someone that needs to do a bunch of work too, to subsidize the cost of the place.
edit: I went back and read the whole thread, and am now better informed. Looks like the boat shouldn't be a problem. Have you decided how long you are going to have the place? What I really need to do, is fix the boat so I can sell it. But that involves quite a bit of work, and preferably in a covered area, such as a garage.

[Haku]

There is plenty of room outside for a boat, so I can ask the landlord if that could be part of the deal. He has part of the property rented out for that kind of use, but I'm sure parking a boat behind the place for a while should be fine. If I were to go for it, it would be for at least 3 months and possibly 6 months. In order to subsidize it, I'd do basic fab work for hire (i.e. sliders and such). I know its kind of a saturated market for that stuff, but its the only way it would be worth it for me at this point. I have my cage yet to do, but after that I don't have a whole lot of projects left that I can afford to do. Thats why I'm still at 80% on whether I want to drop the hat on this.

JH

[Fordguy77]

Well with the b2 i have plenty of stuff to be doing for the next 3 months. And seeing as how i have so many other rigs, i will always be needing a place to do something, 3 months is great, 6 months even better? But whichever works.

[colomil]

Are you guys still needing another person interested in this garage? If my M1009 will fit in a bay I would certainly be interested!
-Greg

[Haku]

Hey,

At this point, I am out on this. Needed it for a project that I finished in my smaller garage at home. Mostly wanted it for the 220v power, but now that the big project is done, its $250 a month that I could use for other stuff.

That said, I think its still available, and I would be happy to hook one of you up with Kirby, the property manager, if you are still interested. As it stands, he wants $700 a month for the whole building (plus electricity), but said he might consider renting the separate single bay for $250 a month plus electricity. Cheaper if you can get 3 people together, but might be hard to pull (I know I asked this almost a month ago and got minimal response right off the bat).

JH