Frankenfoot an Urban Dream Brokerage in Dunedin in 2017 which upcycles shoes into wearable art. Image: Justin Spiers.
Urban Dream Brokerage helps find a space for approved projects and negotiates its use, organises a license (see below) and covers public liability insurance.
The Application Process
- Criteria: Individuals or organisations first must be satisfied they meet the criteria for application.
- Submission: Applicants fill out a submission form. Applicants can contact broker Anneke Wolterbeek at UDBMasterton@gmail.com
- Assessment: The applications are assessed by the UBD advisory groupl. The proposal must meet with their majority approval as to matching the criteria, and they may provide advice on its best implementation. UBD then meet with applicants to vet their application and discuss potential spaces.
- Location: UDB proceeds to locate property options and commence negotiations. Applicants are also encouraged to identify spaces and sites they think are suitable (in some instances they will actually negotiate the use of space themselves). If we think a project is suitable for a space that is available we meet with the applicant and assess the project in more detail.
- Licensing: Once located UDB issues any licenses or helps with any regulatory issues and arranges for public liability insurance cover (a key part of the brokerage's services to applicants) and assists applicants to obtain power and other utilities (we can help with set-up but the cost of power and utilities is at the licensee's cost).
- Monitoring: The agency then monitors the progress, and reports back to both property owners and partners at the end of the license. We will also feature applicants' projects on our website, through our newsletter to our database and through social media. Projects that aren't temporary should plan on operating on a rolling 30 day period of use.
- Please note we do not fund or produce your project. It is up to you to find funding and the support to make the project happen, but we can help with connections.
Licensing
Licenses for properties are negotiated on a rent-free basis, either for a prescribed period of a few weeks or months, or on a rolling license that gives either a party the ability to give the other 30 days notice. Licensees pay a small weekly fee from $10 to UDB to help with the coverage of insurance and breakages. The temporary license (developed in partnership with major property owners) provides that the licensee:
• covers the cost of power and utilities, • obtains through UBD public liability insurance, • And takes the property on a "as is where is basis".
How much does it cost?
The UDB provides to both occupiers and property owners: -brokerage of a temporary license -clearance of all permissions for use of public space -photography and documentation of the project -Public Liability Insurance for the building site up to $5 000 000 -Cover for minor damage up to $400 We ask applicants to pay what they can afford in terms of a contributory fee: $20 per week/ $50 per week/ or if they represent a small business or not for profit $100 per week. Licensees will also be liable for power and other utilities - we are able to offer assistance in getting the best deals we can on these for you. All agreements have reviews built into them. If a licensee starts a business that ends up turning over good money we’d gradually expect them to start paying closer to a commercial rent to the property owners when they can afford to. This is something we'd assist in the negotiation of. With ongoing projects, our aim is to nurture them so they eventually don’t need support.