We sincerely hope all of you are safe and doing well. Things at Urban Workshop have been slow and steady, but we are accomplishing a lot in preparation for re-opening as soon as possible. Below are a few updates on what has been happening on our side and what we think the plan is going forward.

First, I would like to thank all our members that have stepped up to support us as part of the family. The majority of members have reached out and told us to keep their memberships active during the crisis to ensure we have the cash flow to cover expenses like rent and utilities. We will credit everyone who maintains their accounts with the number of days we end up being closed to ensure everyone gets what they paid for ensuring a win-win for all of us.

We are ecstatic to announce that on April 16 we were awarded an SBA PPP loan that will allow us to get the staff back in action doing everything we can to get Urban Workshop prepared to re-open. It is a stipulation of the loan that funds must be used primarily for payroll and not expenses, so the membership dues are still an essential part of the equation for us. Securing this loan took a tremendous amount of time and effort, but by aggressively working with our bank and the SBA we are now in a much better position and look forward to serving you.

We completed filming over 50 videos for the youth program and even some for the adult classes. I am very proud of the team for making this happen under difficult circumstances. This has allowed us to meet the educational requirements of the schools we work with and has delighted the students who are eager to get back in here and finish their projects. We will be using the videos going forward to supplement member training and to create a new online learning platform. Our members will have access for free to the videos as part of their memberships one we get it online. So, stay tuned!

Because many of our members rely on us for part or all their livelihood, we have been allowing a small number of our business members access to the shop by appointment to keep their businesses functioning through this COVID crisis. If you need access to your storage cubby or have a critical project that can be accomplished quickly and by yourself, please email us at info@urbanworkshop.net to schedule an appointment.

Going forward, we plan to re-open as soon as we can with precautions in place such as:

• Enforcing social distancing
• Requiring face masks
• Requiring washing of hands upon entry / exit to the facility
• Requiring members to clean their work areas prior to and after working
• Additional cleaning by our staff of surfaces, door knobs, tools, etc..

We will provide additional updates as soon as we know more or if the situation changes. Please refer to our website www.UrbanWorkshop.net and social media channels, @_urbanworkshop on Twitter and @theurbanworkshop on Facebook for updates.

Please stay safe and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Status Update

 

By Executive order N-33-20 from  Governor Gavin Newsom,

All non-essential businesses are temporarily shut-down effective March 19 at 6:15 pm to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus. Unfortunately, that includes us.

 Urban Workshop is temporarily closed and will re-open as soon as possible.

In the meantime, I (Steve) will be working to make improvements in the shop so that when we all return the facility will be even better then when we left it.

 If you have questions or need access, please contact us by email at info@UrbanWorkshop.net

 Check our website and Facebook page for updates: www.UrbanWorkshop.net

 www.facebook.com/TheUrbanWorkshop

 Youth program participants: please watch your email for information regarding how to access our online training courses.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience. It is very much appreciated. 

 

Take care and see you soon,

Steve Trindade

We sincerely hope all of you are safe and well. The Urban Workshop team has been working hard to prepare to re-open and we think you will like what you see. We re-open on Tuesday May 19, 2020. As we ramp up, our hours will be temporarily reduced to Tuesday thru Friday 10 am to 8 pm and Saturday 9 am to 4 pm. Closed Sunday and Monday.

First, I would like to thank all our members who stood up to support us as part of the family. A majority of members reached out and told us to keep their memberships active during the crisis to ensure we had the cash flow to cover expenses like rent and utilities. We will credit everyone who maintained their accounts with the number of days closed to ensure everyone gets what they paid for.

We have also added video training free to all members via the Mindbody portal. If you have an active Urban Workshop login for Mindbody you can now access over 10 hours of training videos on the laser etchers, MIG welding, vacuum former, woodshop basics, and more. You can find the link on our website main menu by selecting “Adult Training” and then “Class Videos”. Or use this direct link: https://video.mindbody.io/studios/218571/sign-in. We hope you all enjoy the videos!

As we re-open, we are required to follow strict safety procedures that can only be accomplished with your help. We want everyone to be safe so we will all have to follow these new rules:

• Social distancing of at least 6 feet
• Face masks are required at all times in the facility. Please bring your own mask.
• Anyone who enters is required to sign a COVID waiver and indicate they understand the rules
• Wash your hands frequently. Especially after using shared equipment and tools.
• Everyone must check in and out at the front desk so we can maintain documentation for contact tracing.
• Members are to clean their work areas prior to and after working. Please bring your own cleaning supplies so that you can clean to your own satisfaction.
• No congregating in groups or in tight spaces like the kitchen, and respect other’s space
• Doors will be propped open to increase air flow thru the building and reduce contact points.
• Additional cleaning by our staff of surfaces, doorknobs, tools, etc. will be performed daily
• We have re-arranged the computer lab and office areas to enable social distancing
• Anyone observed exhibiting any symptoms, including repeated coughing, and sneezing will be asked to leave immediately

To be clear, this only works if we all participate. There is no way our staff can follow everyone around who enters, cleaning everything they touch. Members absolutely must help and contribute to keeping the facility as clean and sanitary as possible to prevent any spread of COVID in the facility. If there was to be an infection, the state would surely shut us down. None of us want that or knowledge that we infected a fellow member and friend.

We will continue to provide additional updates as the situation changes and hopefully improves. Please refer to our website www.UrbanWorkshop.net and social media channels, @_urbanworkshop on Twitter and @theurbanworkshop on Facebook for updates.

Please stay safe and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Status Update

 Updated: March 18, 2020, 4:15 pm

 

The Orange County Health Department and Emergency Services issued a revised mandate that indicates Orange County businesses are clear to be open.

We will re-open Thursday (3/19/2020) at 9 am.

However, it is essential we prevent the spread of COVID-19, so please do not come to the shop if you feel sick or think you have been exposed to the virus in the last 14 days.

 We ask you to:

• Be neat, clean, and orderly if you do visit the shop
• Bring your own supplies to disinfect your work area when you arrive and leave.
• Respect each other’s space. We have 28,000sq ft so there is plenty of room to spread out.

 Urban Workshop will:

• Provide email, website, and social media updates as things change and orders come from the CDC, state and city
• Clean and disinfect daily commonly touched objects and tools
• Leave doors open to minimize the number of things we all touch
• Place additional and sanitizer stations throughout the property
• Provide ongoing training for staff and partners regarding best practices for providing a safe and healthy environment.

 Please visit our website main page at www.UrbanWorkshop.net and on our social media channels, @_urbanworkshop on Twitter and @theurbanworkshop on Facebook.

 

Thank you for your cooperation,

Steve Trindade

Urban Workshop’s Youth Program Update

 Updated: March 16, 2020, 7:30 pm

 In response to the outbreak of coronavirus known as COVID-19, on Monday 3/16/2020 Urban Workshop’s youth program went online-only for 3 weeks and will then have the regularly scheduled spring break for one week. As the semester progresses, we will work with families to schedule group make-up sessions of the hands-on classes to ensure students learn the hands-on skills they desire, they complete their projects, and are ready to move to the next class level in the summer or fall.

 To be clear, we are offering online lessons in addition to in-person makeup sessions at a future date. They are not meant to replace the in-person lessons, only supplement them as we comply with health recommendations.

 How will this work?

On Mondays (this first week will be a little delayed) we will send an email to each student with a weblink to the week’s online class. When you click the link, you will be directed to a secure page on Urban Workshop’s website where a pop-up will appear and request your email address, student’s name, and class level. (This is so that we can track “attendance”) Once completed, the pop-up box will allow you to see the page (and provided a direct link) with the class video where you are free to watch it at your convenience and as often as you like. The video will be of an Urban Workshop instructor completing the scheduled hands-on class, narrating what they are doing, and providing supporting information. This will serve as a preview for the hands-on class students will take later. The videos will be permanently accessible online via mobile devices, tablets, and PC’s.

 We also recommend you join the Urban Workshop Youth Program Private group on facebook for updates. You can find it at https://www.facebook.com/groups/UrbanWorkshopYouth/ or by searching for “Urban Workshop Youth Program Students & Families”. Click the button to join the group and answer the questions with your student’s info. We will approve all valid requests to join.

 We appreciate your patience as we all work together to figure out how to best serve our students and ensure everyone stays healthy. If questions arise, please feel free to email us at youthoc@urbanworkshop.net. We will do our best to respond as soon as we can. If we see the same question arising, we may do another group email with FAQ’s. You can also find updates on our website, www.UrbanWorkshop.net and our Facebook page @_urbanworkshop.

Updated: March 11, 2020

Urban Workshop is closely monitoring the outbreak of the respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus known as COVID-19. According to the Orange County Health Care Agency, the immediate risk of this new virus to the public in Orange County is believed to be low at this time; however, the Urban Workshop team has increased precautionary protocols, training and communication.

Unless otherwise notified, member activities and classes are taking place as scheduled. Should the health and safety situation change, information will be posted on www.UrbanWorkshop.net and on our social media channels, @_urbanworkshop on Twitter and @theurbanworkshop on Facebook.

Through updates from the Centers for Disease Control and the California Department of Public Health Urban Workshop personnel are tracking the latest information.

Precautionary measures we are taking include enhancing onsite communication and taking the following preventative actions:

• Daily cleaning and disinfecting of commonly touched objects and tools
• Having students wash their hands at the start and end of classes
• Placing an increased number of hand sanitizer stations throughout the property
• Providing ongoing training for staff and partners regarding best practices for providing a safe and healthy environment.

 Everyone is urged to practice precautions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

  

Resources and updates on COVID-19:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

World Health Organization

California Department of Public Health

Orange County Health Care Agency

City of Costa Mesa

Register to receive OC emergency alerts 

Status Update

 Updated: March 18, 2020, 12:00 noon

 Please read this ENTIRE update.

At Urban Workshop, we are taking the COVID-19 threat seriously and are extremely aware of how this effects our members, students, and staff. We hope all of you are safe and doing well.

 YESTERDAY (Tuesday March 17, 2020 at 2:26 pm) the Orange County Health Department and Emergency Services issued a mandate that indicated all non-essential business were to close effective immediately and that that legal enforcement would be forth coming. In reaction to that we temporarily closed at 6 pm with plans to reopen as soon as possible.

 THEN, several hours later at 6:51 pm, the Orange County Health Department and Emergency Services issued another mandate that indicated all business should remain open in direct contradiction to the first announcement. This announcement also indicated a follow up announcement is to follow. As of noon today, that announcement has not been issued.

 In an effort to prevent any further confusion, we will decide later today what direction we will go and post it on our website and social media. Please visit our website main page at www.UrbanWorkshop.net and on our social media channels, @_urbanworkshop on Twitter and @theurbanworkshop on Facebook.

 Youth Program student videos are uploading today and will be available for viewing this afternoon. Please watch you email for links to the videos.

 More to come….

 

 Thank you for your patience,

Steve Trindade

Updated: 3/13/2020

At Urban Workshop, the health and well-being of our members, participants, and community is our top priority. We understand the concern and uncertainty you may be experiencing surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are committed to being responsive to your needs as the situation evolves.

Because many of our members rely on us for part or all of their livelihood (and sanity) we will remain open as usual for member access and adult classes. However, it is essential we prevent the spread of COVID-19, so please don’t come in if you feel sick or think you have been exposed to the virus in the last 14 days.

Precautionary measures we are taking include enhancing onsite communication and taking the following preventative actions:

• Daily cleaning and disinfecting of commonly touched objects and tools
• Having students wash their hands at the start and end of classes
• Placing an increased number of hand sanitizer stations throughout the property
• Providing ongoing training for staff and partners regarding best practices for providing a safe and healthy environment.

So again, unless otherwise notified, member activities and adult classes are taking place as scheduled. Should the health and safety situation change, information will be posted on www.UrbanWorkshop.net and on our social media channels, @_urbanworkshop on Twitter and @theurbanworkshop on Facebook.

 

 

Update to our Members, Community, and Staff

First, I hope all of you are doing well and are safe. All I can think about right now is my family and how much the Urban Workshop community means to me. It pains me greatly to see so many people nervous due to the uncertainty. So maybe I can help alleviate some uncertainty by telling you Urban Workshop will re-open as soon we are told we can and will be ready to serve you and the community.

I have been talking and texting with a lot of you and greatly appreciate the concern for me, other members, and the team. I would love to personally mention all of you but there are just too many to list. So, I will just say thank you. You are amazing!

Our youth program staff has been working so hard this last week to record video of all the youth program classes so that we can continue to support our young students and the next generation of engineers, scientist and technicians. As we get these videos edited and online, I will share the links so that we all can continue learn and enjoy each other’s company. We plan to continue filming classes until all the youth and adult classes are recorded. I think this will end up being an amazing online resource we can all benefit from in the future.

The Urban Workshop Team is now temporarily laid off but is still helping every way they can to move things forward. They are incredibly loyal to you and Urban Workshop. I am in the shop as I write this and will be actively working to maintain equipment and clean up the facility as well as ensure its viability.

In the meantime I encourage current and past members to join the Urban Workshop Members page so that we can share stories of what we are working on at home and try to relieve some of the cabin fever we are all experiencing. Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/938756626242288/

I encourage everyone to follow our public Facebook page as it is a good resource for information and updates on the shop, schedules, and just generally fun stuff we find is worthy of a repost. The link is here: https://www.facebook.com/TheUrbanWorkshop/

Our youth program families can also participate by joining the Urban Workshop Private youth program page. It has tons of great pictures and video clips of our student making their projects and is a place we can all share project ideas and learn together. The direct link is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/UrbanWorkshopYouth/

If you have questions, please direct them to our Info@UrbanWorkshop.net mailbox that Troy and I will be monitoring. You can also call the shop at 949-296-2153 and I will pick it up if I am there.

Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones. I look forward to seeing all of you in the shop after this settles down.

Sincerely,

Steve Trindade

Updated: March 13, 2020

In response to the outbreak of coronavirus known as COVID-19, effective Monday 3/16/2020 Urban Workshop’s youth program will be online only for 3 weeks and will then have the regularly scheduled spring break for one week. At this time, we anticipate classes to resume onsite and offsite on April 13, 2020. As the semester progresses, we will work with the families to schedule group make-up sessions of the hands-on classes to ensure students learn the hands-on skills they desire, they complete their projects, and are ready to move to the next class level in the summer or fall.

How will this work?
On Mondays (this first one may be a little delayed) we will send an email to each student with a weblink to the week’s online class. When you click the link, you will be directed to a secure page on Urban Workshop’s website. When the page loads, a pop-up will appear and request your email address, student’s name, and the date. (This is so that we can track “attendance”) Once completed, the pop-up box will allow you to see the page with the class video where you are free to watch it. The video will be of an Urban Workshop instructor completing the scheduled hands-on class, narrating what they are doing, and providing supporting information. This will serve as a preview for the hands-on class students will take later. The videos will range between 30 to 60 minutes and be accessible on mobile devices, tablets, and PC’s.

We appreciate your patience as we all work together to figure out how to best serve our students and ensure everyone stays healthy. If questions arise, please feel free to email us at youthoc@urbanworkshop.net. We will do our best to respond as soon as we can. If we see the same question arising, we may do another group email with FAQ’s. You can also find updates on our website, www.UrbanWorkshop.net and our Facebook page @_urbanworkshop.

Open for Members and Adult Students

Updated: March 16, 2020

At Urban Workshop, the health and well-being of our members, participants, and community is our top priority. We understand the concern and uncertainty you may be experiencing surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are committed to being responsive to your needs as the situation evolves.

Because many of our members rely on us for part or all their livelihood, we will remain open for member access and adult classes. However, it is essential we prevent the spread of COVID-19, so please don’t come in if you feel sick or think you have been exposed to the virus in the last 14 days.

We ask you to:

• Not come to the shop if you feel sick or have been in contact with someone who is sick.
• Be neat, clean, and orderly if you do visit the shop
• Bring your own supplies to disinfect your work area when you arrive and leave.
• Respect each other’s space. We have 28,000sq ft so there is plenty of room to spread out.

Urban Workshop will:

• Provide email, website, and social media updates as things change and orders come from the CDC, state and city
• Clean and disinfect daily commonly touched objects and tools
• Leave doors open to minimize the number of things we all touch
• Have students wash their hands at the start and end of classes
• Place additional and sanitizer stations throughout the property
• Provide ongoing training for staff and partners regarding best practices for providing a safe and healthy environment.

So again, unless otherwise notified, member activities and adult classes are taking place as scheduled. Should the health and safety situation change, information will be posted on www.UrbanWorkshop.net and on our social media channels, @_urbanworkshop on Twitter and @theurbanworkshop on Facebook.

It’s simple! For a monthly or annual fee, members can use and reserve Urban Workshop’s tools once they have completed the equipment-specific basic safety classes. Our experienced staff is always available to provide personalized assistance whenever needed. Anyone can attend classes.

So please come by and take a tour of the largest and most technologically advanced makerspace in the Western USA. One of our staff will be happy to show you around. There is something here for everyone, regardless of your skill level.

The Urban Workshop makerspace includes 3D printers, laser cutters, a welding shop, wood shop, machine shop, CNC mills, textiles area, vinyl cutters, plastics shop, electronics lab, auto shop, co-working space and computer lab. Members have access to advanced software including SolidWorks, Photoshop,  Illustrator, and more. A huge work area with large tables, compressed air and electricity are ideal for working on projects and collaborating with others. We offer a lounge area with coffee, microwave oven, refrigerator and vending machines. Businesses, non-profits and private groups are welcome to use our premium 2,000 sqft event venue for corporate events, team building events, charity events, and special events of all types.