Lawrence Co-working Space Provides Affordable Option For Tenants
Writer: Seth Johnson
Photos provided by The Base at Fort Harrison
The area near Fort Harrison State Park has grown quite a bit in recent years, with businesses like Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza and Triton Brewing Company thriving in the Lawrence community. With all the development, a group of businesses, nonprofits, and government entities is looking even further into the future by offering a co-working space in hopes of building the Lawrence economy even more.
Located inside the Fort Harrison Office Suites building, at 9165 Otis Ave., Lawrence, The Base is a nonprofit co-working and business-incubation space made possible by nonprofit founders (Lawrence Community Development Corp. and Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce) and private building owners (Yeager Properties and Envoy Companies). At The Base, members have access to a shared space with a professional environment. Amenities include private conference rooms, a shared kitchen, a free mailbox, Wi-Fi and more.
An idea that was originally conceived by The Lawrence Chamber, The Base was started two years ago with the intent of providing shared workspaces with access to professional networks and resources.
“The Lawrence area has improved, becoming busier and more well-known over the last three years,” says building manager Alicia Vettiner (of Yeager Properties Inc.). “For example, Fort Ben started their farmers market last year for the first time ever, and it was a success.”
According to Vettiner, the price should especially be appealing to those looking for an office space. Members pay an up-front annual fee of $525, which compares favorably with other nonprofit co-working spaces in the metropolitan area.
“For an entire year, a Base member pays half the cost of any other co-working space around,” Vettiner says.
For those who work from home, a co-working space can especially come in handy.
“It’s more professional to meet clients at a business setting versus an office out of a house,” Vettiner says. “It gives them dedicated quiet space with no interruptions.”
So far, response to The Base from the Lawrence community has been great.
“Everyone is always very intrigued to know what The Base is,” Vettiner says. “A lot of people are setting up their own business and aren’t ready for a suite just yet, The Base is a better alternative for them. Our tenants here like seeing our open space being used, versus a building with no traffic.”
For those who are interested in becoming a member at The Base, the process to join is pretty simple.
“If you are interested, you can contact myself or Chris Barnett,” Vettiner says. “I’m the building manager of Fort Harrison Yeager Office Suites, where The Base is located. Chris Barnett is in charge of The Lawrence Development Corporation, who also has a suite here.”
The Base at Fort Harrison is located inside the Fort Harrison Office Suites building, at 9165 Otis Ave. You can also visit them online at TheBaseLawrence.org or call Yeager Properties Inc. at 317-532-9500 and ask for Alicia Vettiner, building manager of The Base.
