It can get messy, especially because the very thing the city can offer (real estate) ends up being a political pawn. With no provision in the city’s charter to protect it, anything the city provides is going to be quick to the chopping block.
The better way for a city to help is let the local library system manage the relationship or itself be the steward of the space.
This is what my municipality does. There's a maker space run out of the main library with 3d printers, CNCs, laser cutters etc. Just need a library card and to pay some usage fees for materials to access it.
I honestly think a library is the best place for a general public makerspace for 90% of cases. That last 10% encompasses famous ones in specific cities like Noisebridge in SF or c-base in Berlin (all of which can only exist in that city’s culture scene) and also smaller, niche spaces such as Curious Forge, DIY or die (sadly defunct), etc.
My local library system offers a limited “makerspace” program[0] that does some of this stuff within the library, but I think something that should be more integrated is their Library of Things[1] program which allows patrons to take home all sorts of tools and equipment that are just not used very often.
I think more library systems should be granted the freedom and funding by their governing bodies to create a makerspace.
Footnote: The other option I didn’t address was to have schools/universities maintain them, but those are always reserved for student and faculty.
I disagree, I’ve never found a library hackerspace that I liked. I think the problem is in liability. A real hackerspace has insane liability issues, and city govs are about the most risk averse groups there is.
Unfortunately I think hackerspace on gov property are doomed to never be cool.
I don’t disagree with the assessment that hackerspaces on government property will never be cool, mainly because I think we are beyond the days where being “cool” is a given. There is a distinction I need to make first, however:
The label of hackerspace should really be earned and the spaces that fall into that 10% group demonstrate specific ethos, robust community engagement, and as a result can operate independently.
A makerspace is just a place where you make stuff in and can have or gain some level of access to tools and equipment. It is certainly not as cool as a hackerspace, but its very presence is the prototype for one.
I'm simplifying. Goto10 is ran by Internetstiftelsen which was a state run agency back when they were managing the .se ccTLD. I haven't really kept track of what's going on with them. Knowing Sweden it wouldn't surprise me if it's some sort of hybrid between privatized and state run.
Stapeln was organized by the city.
But all hacker spaces here can get grants from the government.
When I was involved with one, now defunct, we received teaching grants from the state. Anyone who holds workshops or educational gatherings can apply for these grants.
The better way for a city to help is let the local library system manage the relationship or itself be the steward of the space.