A Solstice Literary Celebration
A Solstice Literary Celebration
The Commons
at Space to Create Trinidad
The Commons at Space to Create Trinidad is a busy hive of community energy, creativity and entrepreneurial efforts. With one eye towards enriching community life and another towards strengthening our local economy, the Commons aims to be a dynamic and ever-evolving place to gather, to share, to inspire, and to create.
FACILITIES
The Commons is comprised of three storefronts that are combined into an expansive, open space of approximately 20,000 sq ft. More than half of the space is accessible directly from Main Street. Another 8,400 sq ft is comprised of the Toller garage, which is accessible through the main entrance on Main Street.
Artspace owns the buildings that make up Space to Create. The Commons area is being leased by the City of Trinidad from Artspace. The City will be leasing the Commons for the cost of expenses such as property taxes, utilities, and shared maintenance.
Construction at Space to Create Trinidad
January 2022
DESIGN
The City of Trinidad has full authority and responsibility to build out the Commons, with design decisions guided by several sources. Data from the community feasibility studies, public meetings, and Market Survey, conducted at the onset of Space to Create, comprises one key piece. Second, an Advisory Panel of community members was assembled over the summer of 2019 to review design concepts and submit recommendations to City Council. Finally, a City entity, the Space to Create Commons Oversight Board, was recently established to oversee the development of the Commons.
Architect: HHL Architects
Several core elements for the design of the Commons have been prioritized:
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Co-working and co-making
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Flex retail
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Kitchen amenities
Co-working & ”Co-making”
The first component of the Commons to be activated will be a co-working space, with a twist. Co-working spaces provide temporary work or office space with amenities such as high-speed internet, copiers, and meeting rooms to support small businesses. This co-working space includes “hot desks” and meeting rooms for rent by the hour or day, but also includes “co-making” workshop/teaching rooms with sinks for things like painting and art classes, also for rent by the hour or day. Although the workshop rooms won’t have equipment like a Maker Space, such a space could be developed over time with enough interest and commitment from the community.
The co-working space will share a large area with the Corazón de Trinidad Creative District and the City of Trinidad Economic Development Coordinator. The goal is to make the space a hub to deliver information and small business support services, including partners such as the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
Flex Retail
With a goal of supporting the growth and development of small businesses, the Commons’ retail concept is to offer small, affordable and flexible retail space options. The plan seeks to enable pop-up retail and other temporary venues for people to test their products and services, grow their businesses and perhaps “graduate” into other commercial spaces for rent in Trinidad.
The Commons Oversight Board is also entertaining proposals from businesses interested in building out their own space in the Commons. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact the Commons Oversight Board to arrange a time to discuss ideas and tour the Commons.
Kitchen Amenities
One feature that has risen as a priority is a kitchen facility of some type. With consideration to cost, complexity and management requirements, the Advisory Panel and Oversight Board are recommending a conservative initial approach to the kitchen. Current plans are to build out a kitchen that has basic food prep equipment to facilitate catering for on-site events and provide food prep and storage for food vendors in the Commons. Ideally, we’ll also have a kitchen designed for events like culinary classes.
There is much yet to be determined, with more funds needed to realize the final kitchen feature in the Commons. Please contact the Commons Oversight Board if you have a food concept for the Commons that could utilize an on-site kitchen.
Toller Garage
A significant portion of the Commons is situated in the Toller Building garage, which is located behind the front portion of the Commons containing the flex retail, kitchen and coworking space. Accessible through the front portion of the Commons, the Toller garage is approximately 8,400 sq. ft. of open space. At this time, no plans have been made for use of the garage area. Please contact theCommons Oversight Board if you have a business concept that could utilize this expansive space.
TIMELINE
The Commons will open in phases starting in summer 2021. The first portion to be open will be offices for the Corazon de Trinidad Creative District and Trinidad Economic Development Coordinator, and coworking space. This initial phase also includes the build-out of essential features such as adequate exits/egress and restrooms. The goal is to enable public use of the Commons as elements of the interior are finalized, funded and constructed.
FUNDING
To date, the build-out of the Commons is being funded by a mix of City and State money, including the Colorado Housing Finance Authority, City of Trinidad, Colorado Department of Local Affairs, History Colorado, Boettcher Foundation, and the Gates Family Foundation.
Grants are being pursued at state and federal levels to fully fund the initial, basic build-out. A cautious and incremental approach is being taken with this project to ensure that funds are dedicated to the most productive and useful outcomes, beneficial to the greatest number of users.
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION
Corazon de Trinidad Creative District
Phone: (719) 422-3343
Commons Oversight Board
719-846-9843, Ext 140