All other things aside, I'm amazed this will NOT be in the valley...
Hackert0wn
11–20 of 37 posts
Re: Hackert0wn
#12$40/month for a membership will turn into $40/month for rent
Re: Hackert0wn
#13This is extremely misleading, perhaps one of the most misleading crowdfunding projects I've seen.
They almost always use present tense which makes it seem like everything already exists. From the campaign:
"Located in New York City, Hackert0wn is an epicenter for innovation and education to advance green technology and sustainability."
NO IT'S NOT! It's an idea in 4 peoples' minds. It doesn't exist so you can't make claims about it like this.
Almost all of the photos they show are of related tech and have no bearing on this project. Do they actually have permission to use those photos? Some look like they're taken directly from product manufacturers and other copyright protected sources.
No wonder they're using indiegogo instead of Kickstarter. Kickstart would never let them get away with this.
Re: Hackert0wn
#14Where in Brooklyn do they want to do this?
North Greenpoint?
Re: Hackert0wn
#15Can someone who knows a bit more about this idea chime in on if it's really plausible? A multi-story building in NYC with an elevator for 1.5MM? Do they already own the land or something? It sounds like at least one of the partners already runs a hacker space so I assume they know what they're doing, but it sounds wildly implausible to me. The typos and errors on the page don't exactly inspire confidence either =P
From the site:
"Our goal is to raise $5,000,000. Our modest crowdfunding goal to get us started is $1,500,000."
$1.5MM hardly seems modest.
Re: Hackert0wn
#16Earlier quoted context omitted.
A connex (45' long container trailer) looks to cost around $1000-$3000 on eBay, and I think I've heard that's a typical price for one. I'd budget another $3000 to make it livable - installing drywall walls, electrical outlets, plumbing a toilet and mini-kitchenette, and a door and window. The biggest price will be land. Interestingly: http://containerhouse.info/how-to-buy-container-home/
more info from 2011: http://www.archdaily.com/160892/the-pros-and-cons-of-cargo-c... I do think they would run into trouble with the local building codes and inspectors.
"Shipping container architecture gets a lot of encouraging coverage in the design world as a trendy green alternative to traditional building materials, and seems like a smart choice for people looking for eco-consciousness. However, there are a lot of downsides to building with cargo containers. For instance, the coatings used to make the containers durable for ocean transport also happen to contain a number of harmful chemicals, such as chromate, phosphorous, and lead-based paints. Moreover, wood floors that line the majority of shipping container buildings are infused with hazardous chemical pesticides like arsenic and chromium to keep pests away."
YIKES!!
Re: Hackert0wn
#17This seems overly ambitious. Is "FarmLand" really needed to create a viable "Hackert0wn"? Perhaps they should focus on doing one thing well first (such as an educational center or hackerspace) before adding in side projects that don't really enhance these other things. I can buy farm fresh food or join a CSA farm share in New York fairly easily -- I don't see the need to tie it into my workspace.
You're right, they could probably shave a lot off that $1.5M if they made partnerships with other businesses instead of trying to reinvent the wheel.
They'd have fewer tasks to complete as well. What would be necessary for a good MVPt0wn?
Re: Hackert0wn
#18The fact that they are reading off of cue cards about their own project isnt exactly encouraging.
Why do we need spaces specifically marketed to "hacking"? Hacking requires a computer, a table, a chair and electricity - just about any real estate fits those parameters.
On top of it 1.5 million through crowdsourcing for this sort of thing I have to doubt would come even close to cutting it for getting things off the ground. Syndication through real estate investors would probably give you a much better shot.
Re: Hackert0wn
#19While I like the idea, I think it's overly ambitious, a bit misleading, and I don't think these are the people to pull this off. If you read their bios, it's clear that they have no history of repeated success, or the appropriate backgrounds to really execute on a project like this. I would not entrust them with $1.5M.
Re: Hackert0wn
#20Can someone who knows a bit more about this idea chime in on if it's really plausible? A multi-story building in NYC with an elevator for 1.5MM? Do they already own the land or something? It sounds like at least one of the partners already runs a hacker space so I assume they know what they're doing, but it sounds wildly implausible to me. The typos and errors on the page don't exactly inspire confidence either =P
Depends where in New York City. Manhattan, no way. 1.5m would cover just the buying price of a single apartment in any new building. Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, SI– "maybe". As in, if they're both brilliant and well disciplined planners and happen to be lucky...