Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Some Land Search Considerations

Some Location Considerations:

So as we go into this project and begin our land search, there are a couple of parameters that we have for our considerations.

We will be seeking somewhere between 7 and 12 acres of property.

First of all, we have to be able to do what we want with the land.  Ideal would be property in a county with no zoning or permitting, as is the case with parts of PA and other states.  This would assure that the tiny home village wouldn't run into square footage requirements and that the experimental construction methods we're anticipating wouldn't be bogged down in red tape.

Second, since part of the financing for the project will be from events and educational projects, the land should hopefully be within 50 miles of at least a medium sized city, or at the very least in an area with access to major transportation facilities.

Third, while we have no problem being off grid, the availability of water, either surface or by well, is rather a must.

There are a few other things that would really be helpful.  Land with owner financing would be a major plus, especially if the down was nonexistent or very low.  This would help us maximize our initial funds and put them in to development rather than into land costs.  Access to--particularly--broadband would be a plus (power, of course, we can do).  Low land taxes would also help assure the success of the project.

So how about it?  Know/own anything that might be of interest to us? 

Saturday, March 28, 2015

The Grindlebone Village Project

The Grindlebone Village project has been a long time in gestation.  For those of you who know the cast of characters that has made up the Greylight Theatre/Grindlebone Arts over the years, you know we have a history of pulling off bizarrely large, improbable projects seemingly out of nothing.  Over the years we have created theatre companies, renfairs, Burning Man style Raves, art shows, theatre tours, publishing houses, construction projects, role playing games, and a number of fairly toxic cocktails, all with only these two conditions:  A)  Is it worth doing? and B) see (A).

The project as envisioned will incorporate a tiny home/vardo village, cabins, a village green with outdoor performance space and public pavilion, an indoor performance and gallery space, an education and library center, and an event camping area to support at least four large public events a year, all with an eye to sustainability and with a strong Steampunk slant.

Why Steampunk? Because many of the Steampunk ideals of inventiveness, civility, permanence, self betterment, and exploration and adventure for it's own sake meet with our own attitudes and dreams.  In addition, the Steampunk culture includes a number of technologies that greed and cheap energy bypassed historically, but were fully functional and viable.

Besides, it looks cool.

Over the next several months we will be doing land search, design work, crowd funding (you knew that was coming, didn't you :)  ), and assorted scheming and twisting.  We welcome your ideas, comments, and active participation.  Join us.  It's another damn dream.