BRIDGE Storefront: Update

On Friday, April 5^th, several students met with David Gibson, the developer of the gallery space. He is incredibly interested in vitalizing the downtown, and in recreating old spaces – giving them new life with new activities. He also wants to demonstrate that private development and public institutions can work together productively to create change.

The New Proposal:

As David wants the project to move forward as quickly as possible, he is giving BRIDGE the space at 40 Main Street instead, as building occupancy will be easier to obtain.

This is a great space with so much potential. The storefront has been recently renovated, opening on to a single story ground floor, which then opens up to an incredible double height space. This space will have the original stone walls and wood rafters exposed with hardwood floors.

Occupancy:

We are submitting to the city as a Group E: Mercantile space. The basement and the upper level of the unit will be inaccessible and BRIDGE will have the ground floor of the space to use.

Budget:

David will pay for a basic fit out of the space, making sure there is light, plumbing, electrical etc. Right now the electrical is all located on the top floor of the building. He will have the panel moved to the ground floor so we can access it.

BRIDGE will be responsible for covering all other costs. If you know of any grants, or material suppliers that will potentially donate funds or materials to BRIDGE, please contact us with those suggestions.

Timeline: The current estimate is that the basic renovations will be complete by early June!

Now for the most important part…

Student Involvement:

After a second meeting with David on Wednesday, April 10^th, he mentioned that he is looking for our input on several matters for the basic renovation:

1) Lighting. This is obviously an important aspect of the space, and what kind of lighting/ where we would like it will determine where he has electrical installed.

2) Signage. It is important that the BRIDGE storefront activates the street in someway.

3) Storage. Where we locate storage in the building if it will be built-in (rather than flexible) this must be indicated to the city in the floorplans that David submits to obtain occupancy.

Get back to BRIDGE with your ideas/submissions! CAD drawings (floor plans and a section) will be available very soon.