Doug; you're right that the Commons could be what other institutions may have started out as. One area where the Commons differs is that there is no hierarchy (faculty, staff, students). It will remain small-scale, and should there be more demand, another Commons can be created.

The structure is more like the Web (small pieces loosely joined) than a university (the trivium & quadrivium) or a Civic Centre (industrial age service to a community of taxpayers). It's probably closer to a town hall, or the "associations" that de Tocqueville noted in early America.

Here's an example set of norms from an existing Commons not too far from here:
http://www.queenstreetcommons.org/About

Other links are here:
http://www.squidoo.com/commons/

In response to your last question on whether we should be constructing a new building or moving institutions back to their core functions, I have started this voyage based on what I feel is possible. The building of our Commons is a large enough task for me and for AWI. Trying to change the nature of universities or civic institutions is beyond my capabilities and interest.

I hope that the Commons, when built, will engage a part of the community that lacked a venue to gather. Members will have a place to think, develop and propose the ideas of their particular forte, in the arts, business, agriculture, and in all the facets that make up our area’s creativity. Also, membership in the Commons will be around $40 per month. That's much less than taking a course at any university; so I think that we are filling unmet needs in many ways, including creating opportunities for informal learning.