Crazy Idea: Convert an Old Motel into an Office Park
I just saw a story about how an abandoned motel caught fire here in Mesa. It made me start thinking about what pathetic eyesores those become. They almost always end up burning down, probably most often due to arson. There was a small motel almost just like this one back in my hometown that also burned after sitting vacant for ages. Even after burning, they typically just sit there because nobody bothers to spend the money to properly demolish them.
It seems like an enterprising investor could purchase one of these small motels and do very minor renovations needed to convert them into startup-friendly "office parks" of a sort. Many startups are just a few people, and could benefit from things like:
- Dedicated, small, private space, complete with pre-wired phone and internet access
- A private full-featured bathroom
- A private kitchenette
- Easy, right-by-the-door parking
- Common "office area" similar to in an incubator, where there could be a shared copier, fax machine, vending, etc.
I have no idea how much money it would take to do such a thing, or if it's even economically feasible. It just seems like it would be a good way to re-use existing building space and would be a hell of a lot better than leaving a boarded-up fire hazard sitting around for years.
Just an idea.
