Resurrect PhilaMOCA
Donation protected
What happened?
PhilaMOCA was recently closed by the city and is currently in the process of being rezoned, which could take several months. We have all intentions of reopening at the same level of productivity as before, but the process is going to take both time and money.
The neighborhood that PhilaMOCA resides in is currently being redeveloped at a rapid pace, circumstances of which are at the root of our recent troubles. But we are looking ahead towards solutions rather than dwelling on the past. We were already re-inspected by L&I this past week and passed all of the fire code violations that we faced, an illustration of how quickly we are looking to resolve all issues. L&I, the City of Philadelphia, and our longtime neighbors have been nothing but helpful and supportive thus far and we truly appreciate them working with us to return everything to normal. We also greatly appreciate the outpouring of support from attendees and collaborators.
How can you help?
Here are the precise things that we are raising money to cover, many of which result from the new zoning that we are working to acquire, paperwork for which has already been submitted:
The first thing is rent and utilities. The building owner is supportive of us making any necessary changes to the building and has assured us that we will be comfortably located in the building for years to come. But we still have to continue to pay rent and utilities, which will be difficult without income over the course of the next few months.
There is a good amount of electrical work that will need to be done by a licensed electrician who will have to pull permits to do so. This includes the installation of a shunk circuit breaker, at least a dozen new outlets throughout the room, and the capping and de-installation of some ancient wires.
For the new fire code regulations, we will need to install fireproof curtains in the front windows, around the screen, and at various locations throughout the room. Other possible requirements include the installation of a new front door that swings outwards and, at the greatest cost of all, we may need to install a sprinkler system. These latter matters are privy to the inspectors' regulations and we are not quite at that stage yet.
We are also looking to better soundproof the room to avoid annoying neighbors. This will include a complete interior blockage of the front windows as well as the construction of a soundproof interior entryway, meaning that the entrance will now consist of two doors and a small enclosed breezeway.
There will likely be other repairs and upgrades needed that we won't be able to anticipate, those will come about once the inspections begin down the road.
The meantime and the future...
In the meantime, we've successfully relocated over 30 events that we planned on hosting over the next two months and are also doing a series of off-site fundraising events at various venues throughout the city that we're labeling PhilaMOCA On The Road.
We have always taken a DIY approach towards self-sufficiency, depending entirely on the door intake and rentals to survive, no grant funding, membership fees, or anything like that. We have successfully hosted some of the most exciting alternative film, music, and art programming in Philadelphia and, with your help, plan on continuing to do so long into the future. The best thing about going 100% legit is that we'll be have the confidence to host events at a greater frequency alongside certain types of things that we have avoided in the past. And we'll do so in a safer environment than ever before.
Our gratitude...
Thank you very much for your support, we truly hope to delay the inevitable apartment buildings that will reside on our lot for at least another decade or two.
And finally, a big thank you to the venues and promoters that quickly stepped up to help us relocate events: R5 Productions, Boot & Saddle, Ruba Club, Dave Kiss Presents, Kung Fu Necktie, World Cafe Live, The Trestle Inn, Warehouse on Watts, Azavea, Radio Kismet, and PHIT.
PhilaMOCA was recently closed by the city and is currently in the process of being rezoned, which could take several months. We have all intentions of reopening at the same level of productivity as before, but the process is going to take both time and money.
The neighborhood that PhilaMOCA resides in is currently being redeveloped at a rapid pace, circumstances of which are at the root of our recent troubles. But we are looking ahead towards solutions rather than dwelling on the past. We were already re-inspected by L&I this past week and passed all of the fire code violations that we faced, an illustration of how quickly we are looking to resolve all issues. L&I, the City of Philadelphia, and our longtime neighbors have been nothing but helpful and supportive thus far and we truly appreciate them working with us to return everything to normal. We also greatly appreciate the outpouring of support from attendees and collaborators.
How can you help?
Here are the precise things that we are raising money to cover, many of which result from the new zoning that we are working to acquire, paperwork for which has already been submitted:
The first thing is rent and utilities. The building owner is supportive of us making any necessary changes to the building and has assured us that we will be comfortably located in the building for years to come. But we still have to continue to pay rent and utilities, which will be difficult without income over the course of the next few months.
There is a good amount of electrical work that will need to be done by a licensed electrician who will have to pull permits to do so. This includes the installation of a shunk circuit breaker, at least a dozen new outlets throughout the room, and the capping and de-installation of some ancient wires.
For the new fire code regulations, we will need to install fireproof curtains in the front windows, around the screen, and at various locations throughout the room. Other possible requirements include the installation of a new front door that swings outwards and, at the greatest cost of all, we may need to install a sprinkler system. These latter matters are privy to the inspectors' regulations and we are not quite at that stage yet.
We are also looking to better soundproof the room to avoid annoying neighbors. This will include a complete interior blockage of the front windows as well as the construction of a soundproof interior entryway, meaning that the entrance will now consist of two doors and a small enclosed breezeway.
There will likely be other repairs and upgrades needed that we won't be able to anticipate, those will come about once the inspections begin down the road.
The meantime and the future...
In the meantime, we've successfully relocated over 30 events that we planned on hosting over the next two months and are also doing a series of off-site fundraising events at various venues throughout the city that we're labeling PhilaMOCA On The Road.
We have always taken a DIY approach towards self-sufficiency, depending entirely on the door intake and rentals to survive, no grant funding, membership fees, or anything like that. We have successfully hosted some of the most exciting alternative film, music, and art programming in Philadelphia and, with your help, plan on continuing to do so long into the future. The best thing about going 100% legit is that we'll be have the confidence to host events at a greater frequency alongside certain types of things that we have avoided in the past. And we'll do so in a safer environment than ever before.
Our gratitude...
Thank you very much for your support, we truly hope to delay the inevitable apartment buildings that will reside on our lot for at least another decade or two.
And finally, a big thank you to the venues and promoters that quickly stepped up to help us relocate events: R5 Productions, Boot & Saddle, Ruba Club, Dave Kiss Presents, Kung Fu Necktie, World Cafe Live, The Trestle Inn, Warehouse on Watts, Azavea, Radio Kismet, and PHIT.
Organizer
Eric Bresler
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA