SURGEtacoma — Local services in Tacoma

I was a member at Surge Tacoma for well over two years. During those two years we had numerous issues but stuck around due to low cost you kinda get what you pay for.

My issues in no certain order:

Ants

Our private office gets extremely hot with no sort of relief, almost unbearable.

Internet is totally slow and unreliable. I've had to stop important meetings and activities and go elsewhere to compete them. Some of which had deadlines and consequences. When you ask staff about it, they don't seem too concerned and don't offer much support. This is an insanely critical issue that should have been addressed but they ignored it. They need to upgrade their internet for sure.

There has been some turnover in front desk staff. They range from pleasant, and greeting you when they see you, to pretty unpleasant, not acknowledging you when you walk in and hardly responding when you greet them.

Had a prior roommate, who was not with us from the start, who wasn't paying his rent, I don't hear from management until it is a threat for us all to move out, completely out of pocket. There was no, can you cover his costs or anything, but instead, if he doesn't pay within a couple days you all have to go. They didn't seem to value the two longerstanding tenants who clearly weren't the issue.

There has been multiple times that I paid my rent on time but then receive emails saying I didn't pay, all because they didn't check the rent drop box.

There has been countless times I show up to my office to find my door is not closed. I don't know if someone was entering the office but they definitely could have been and there is no reason my door should not have been closed and locked on so many occasions.

During the Covid-19 crisis they were unable to operate as a non-essential business but continued to charge for membership while providing zero value to justify collecting money from me during a hardship. They denied a request to pause membership until the crisis is over and they are back in normal operation and began demanding that I remove my things from their building despite the Governor's stay at home order, placing me and my family at risk. In community they showed no human decency or concern for the current situation of the world. They showed complete indifference to keeping my business and no concern for their fellow human being, it was all about the dollar. During the crisis I'd respond to one email, then a different staff member responds to my respons . All while ignoring the issue of charging for a service they cannot provide.

At the end of the day I regret giving them my business and wish I had canceled a long time ago. The internet issues alone that have forced me to work from home or even a library or college campus is enough to say no to...

This is a good place for a low-cost, temporary office and very close to Downtown Tacoma. Small businesses, startups, home entrepreneurs, remote workers, contractors, and the like have a lot to benefit from here. The cafe area is useful for informal business or client meetings, or for events, while the conference rooms are good for a more formal in-person sit-down with a group. The rooftop deck is simple; as a cafe-only member I didn't use it, but I was tempted, especially during this hot summer. The "cafe" space gets very hot on warm days due to the glass atrium, but the rest of the floor seems to stay cool. Wireless and Ethernet work well. Printing, copying, coffee, stove and microwave, fridges, a lot of amenities. This place is very earnestly developed.

Unlike coworking spaces in Seattle, the members of this one are much less technology-focused. Not many software programmers or web developers here. It also isn't very busy, though it could be they're all outside enjoying the summer! and I may just not have been there at the right times. I think last time I was there, I was the only person in the building for most of the day. But everyone I have met has been friendly and personable.

If you're looking to move your personal business or remote job out of the "living room home office," and move away from client meetings at Starbucks, the affordable rates (compared to Seattle or Eastside or even South King coworking spaces and office suites) at SurgeTacoma could be a very good...

When I was launching my business, I needed an address to put on all of my licenses and permits, and didn't want to use my home address. I found SURGE and joined immediately after my first tour, and it has been such a great resource from the very beginning. While I'm not in there much these days due to COVID, it's always a bright spot in my day to visit and say hi to some familiar faces. It's also just so nice to know that no matter where I move, my business address never has to and I have a space I can go to work when I need a change of scenery. I would recommend SURGE to anyone in need of a business address or a place to get some work down outside of the home. What a privilege to have this resource...