The opening of Collab, a new co-working space organized by Action Greensboro and the Greensboro Partnership, is still a few weeks away, but the space on North Greene Street in downtown Greensboro is already coming together.
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The space, which is owned by Elon Law School and being rented for $1/year, has the fastest internet in the city — fiber gigabit thanks to North State. When Collab opens on Nov. 17, people will be able to come in, check out and use the space for free for the first week (after which there is a $99 a month membership fee).
Triad City Beat took a first look at the venue today. Check out the photos and description below to see Collab coming together and get a sense for what it will entail.
Find more information about Collab here.
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So where is Triad Beat’s First Look at Fly Wheel in Winston?? A search of Flywheel reveals two incidental articles & no pictures. And no in depth report on what the outfit is all about. And they are up and running. Here’s their link. flywheelcowork.com.
Steve,
Flywheel is already open. We were invited to come see Collab before it opened and I took the opportunity because people are curious about what the space will be like. Folks can check out Flywheel for themselves, and as you mentioned, we have already published two articles that address that space. They may be doing similar things, but they aren’t on the same level.
I hope that helps explain what I see the difference to be and isn’t mistaken as anything against or critical of Flywheel. Had we been invited to be the first media outlet to check them out, or another innovative business, we’d probably take that opportunity.
Oh I get it. As an investigative reporter you need an exclusive invitation to delve into a story such as this. Duly noted. However, I am curious by your estimation of the two enterprises not being on the same level. What do you mean by that?
This isn’t investigative reporting. It’s a quick turnaround web-only piece. Not on the same level as in one is already open and has been widely reported on (minimal news value) versus something that is not yet open, currently unavailable to the public but opening soon and that has less press attention including from TCB (higher news value).
You’re right. I erred in adding the adjective investigative. However, in the lead up to the opening of Flywheel, there was indeed a buzz, at least in Winston, about what they were developing there in the IQ and how innovative it was for the local entrepreneurial infrastructure. And yet during that time no one in your organization reported on the impending arrival of this enterprise. An enterprise that has frankly spared no expense & could have used your positive press.
As a small business operating as a newspaper, one would think that your news “division” or editorial “board” would embrace what these three local businesses have collaborated on as far as I know at their own expense and broadcast this amenity to your area of influence. They certainly aren’t renting over 11,500 square feet at $1/year!! The breadth & scope of what they have developed should have been a major story of how the TRIAD is advancing forward in investing and nurturing entrepreneurs in coming up with the next big thing. I conclude the lack of interest is at least partially rooted in the fact that it happened in Winston-Salem and not Greensboro. Because no matter what retort you come back with, there is not way that after reviewing just their website would not have immediately initiated a major front page article in your periodical. I mean at minimum, the basketball court trumps the ping pong table.
I also meant to include as a response, that of the two articles referenced about Flywheel on your website, one was actually about the development of faster gigabite service in the area and Flywheel was incidentally mentioned in the article as noted here:
“Many of the businesses on the prospective list appeared to be equally ignorant of the opportunity to take part in the initiative. A number of representatives, including Flywheel co-working space, the Center for Design Innovation and West End Mill Works, said they were unaware that their businesses were being considered for the project”
The second article was by who I’m assuming was a free lancer as her description was not as a journalist but as a “poet and facilitator”. Not that there’s anything wrong with that other than it was not a Flywheel-centric article but an opinion piece on the need for more inclusiveness and diversity in our part of the world.
I think you’re missing Eric’s point, Steve. We play zoned defense with other publications. YES! Weekly wrote about Flywheel when it opened. Kudos to them for being on top of it. We have to uncover new stories and add to the knowledge base. Nothing Eric has written or said detracts from Flywheel; he had an opportunity to write a unique piece about Collab. The truth is not bigger or smaller than that.
By that logic, the first article by Yes Weekly back in early July reporting on the development of the Collab space should have precluded your further interest in it by seemingly following your self described Modus operandi of solely uncovering new stories in the quest of expanding the knowledge base of your readership. I am sure just as many people were interested in the run up to the opening of Flywheel as they are according to you of Collab. Hence my question as to where was Flywheel’s first look? The location of the two entities and how that was factored in the decisions on how they are covered is part of the truth regardless of how benign the intent.
The only point I am missing from Eric is his explanation as to how the two “similar” operations are on different levels. Nothing in the reportage in your periodical clarifies or enlightens your readership as to the difference if there is any. Why would a unique & new to the area operation that speaks to one of your editorial points of interest require an invitation to cover? Wouldn’t that be a proactive action on the part of a newspaper?
The first sentence of your mission statement is “to chronicle the Triad cities as low-cost incubators of innovation, sustainability and creativity.” The development of the Flywheel space and the breadth of what the owners were/are doing as a private enterprise venture would have appeared to be in TCB’s wheelhouse. I would think that would have special resonance with your organization as you are a start up business as well. Regardless of what had been reported on the “who, when, where, why & what” of the facts, surely one could conclude there’s more to add to the story at the time and anyone of your journalists could have seized the opportunity of composing a unique piece on Flywheel. That would in turn further add to the knowledge base, thereby fulfilling your editorial mandate.
BTW, I don’t know any of principals involved in that effort and have never stepped foot in the building. These are just my observations as a consumer of local news. My intent with this post is not to come across as being antagonistic but merely to respond to your query.
It took longer to read all of your comments than to report this post. Sorry that you’re unhappy with our coverage. Better luck next time.
Not unhappy just an observation. Sorry to have hurt your feelings.
I think that they didn’t report on Flywheel because it’s full of douchebags like Steve Fowler. At least, I think that is what Steve thinks he wants to hear, so he can justify his butt hurt.
Great story Brian! Today is grand opening…I hope folks will check out Collab…thanks.
Actually I wrote it, but thanks!