Atascadero plans co-working space to keep more people from commuting out of town

Atascadero may soon be getting its very own co-working and business incubator space.

The city’s Chamber of Commerce is conducting a survey to gather information about the demand for such a space and what potential users would like to see included.

The concept will be similar to the SLO HotHouse, a co-working space Cal Poly developed in San Luis Obispo in 2010. Visitors can rent workspaces and conference rooms by the hour, day or month.

And SLO HotHouse is growing — it recently moved from its former 6,000-square-foot space on Morro Street to a 15,000-square-foot space above the Ross Dress for Less store on Higuera.

Linda Hendy, president of the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce, said the city’s version will be geared toward professionals, rather than students.

Similar to SLO HotHouse, visitors will be able to rent workspaces and conference rooms. She said the co-working space could be appealing for telecommuters or residents with home-based businesses.

“I really see a new generation working in more of a different setting, rather than owning your own building,” Hendy said.

So far, Hendy said people have been “overwhelmingly” supportive of the idea, which the city and the Economic Vitality Corp. also have a hand in developing. The Atascadero Economic Foundation would ultimately manage the space.

Hendy said organizers hope to nail down a space by the beginning of 2018 and open it by spring or summer. Renting a space close to Atascadero’s downtown area would help build synergy with coffee shops and other local businesses, she said.

“We’re known for everyone living here and working somewhere else,” Hendy said. “Our goal is to really get them working here.”

To take the Chamber of Commerce’s survey, which is open until Nov. 20, visit surveymonkey.com/r/Co-workingSpace.

This story was originally published November 18, 2017 at 11:34 AM with the headline "Atascadero plans co-working space to keep more people from commuting out of town."