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Northampton Community Resilience Hub-2020.6.18-JWA-SPACE PLANNINGPlanningtheNORTHAMPTON RESILIENCE HUB May 5, - June 8, 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS BACKGROUND........................................................................... TASK 1 | PROGRAMMING........................................................ SUPPORT...................................................................... CONNECT..................................................................... COMMUNITY............................................................... CRISIS RESPONSE...................................................... PROGRAM SUMMARY.............................................. TASK 2 | SITE CRITERIA............................................................ TASK 3 | COSTING.................................................................... DESIGNING FOR INCLUSIVITY............................................... APPENDIX A: FINAL PROGRAM APPENDIX B: FINAL SITE ASSESSMENT TOOL APPENDIX C: ASSESSMENT TOOL SURVEY RESULTS APPENDIX D: MEETING MINUTES & CHAT LOGS 3 6 12 18 31 34 39 46 56 59 2 The City of Northampton seeks to build upon previous internal research and establish a Community and Resilience Hub ( HUB) to support Northampton residents who face chronic and acute stress due to climate change, and social and economic crisis. Having previously convened working groups to look at issues relating to homelessness, housing affordability and climate change, the City sought the skills of an Architect to help determine the space needs for the proposed HUB and to establish criteria with which to assess the feasibility of potential HUB locations. Jones Whitsett Architects (JWA) was hired in early May, 2020 to assist a Working Group which consisted of staff from various city departments and representatives of social service organizations that provide services to vulnerable populations. The objective of the Working Group was to establish an optimal space program, a preliminary range of construction costs, and parameters for the future site selection of the HUB. This study occurred in the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic and the period of civil unrest relating to the death of George Floyd. Both events BACKGROUND underscored the significance of the work, while also making it necessary to employ unusual methods to deliberate and arrive at consensus decisions without the benefit of convening in person. Working quickly, JWA engaged the Working Group in regular virtual meetings, visited local facilities that could be considered precedents for the HUB, conducted one-on-one interviews, and leveraged digital tools to create a productive dialogue between Working Group members, City staff, and directors and staff of local facilities serving homeless and vulnerable populations. JWA also engaged directly with users of facilities assisting the homeless, but was limited by the scope of the study and the current pandemic from robust participatory engagement. JWA recommends that additional user and community engagement work be undertaken in the schematic design phase of the project. 3 Introductions – Design Team Dorrie Brooks Project Management db@joneswhitsett.com 413-348-7875 (c) Jill DeCoursey Research & Analysis jd@joneswhitsett.com 503-729-0079 George Dole Assessment gd@joneswhitsett.com 413-834-0809 4 Wayne Feiden, FAICP Director, Planning & Sustainability Alan Wolf, Chief of Staff, Mayor’s Office Keith Benoit, Community Development Planner, Planning & Sustainability Andrew Pelis, Asst. Chief, Northampton Fire/Emergency Management Lisa Downing, Director, Forbes Library Chris Mason, Energy & Sustainability Officer, Central Services Carolyn Misch, Asst. Director, Planning & Sustainability David Pomerantz, Director, Central Services Cherry Sullivan, Opioid Program Coordinator, Health Department Steve Connor, Northampton Veterans Agent Lee Anderson, Manna Laura Baker, Valley Community Development John Bidwell, Executive Director, Hampshire United Way Amy Cahillane, Director, Downtown Northampton Association Seth Dunn, Director, Quality Management, ServiceNet Lynn Ferro, Northampton Recovery Center Jeff Harness, Director, Community Health, Cooley Dickinson Hospital Rick Hart, Friends of Hampshire Homeless Jay Levy, Homelessness Services, Eliot CHS Keleigh Pereira, Program Director, Community Action Heidi Nortonsmith, Executive Director, Northampton Survival Center Miguel Rivera, A Positive Place, Cooley Dickinson Hospital Jay Sacchetti, Senior Vice President, Shelter & Housing, ServiceNet Pamela Schwartz, Western Mass Network to End Homelessness Step Smith, Cathedral of the Night John Thorpe, City Councilor and Probation Officer Todd Weir, Pastor, First Churches Faith Williams, Way Finders Liz Whynott, Manager, Harm Reduction, Tapestry Health Systems Chief Jody Kasper, Northampton Police Dept. Amy Cahillane, Exec Director, Downtown Neighborhood Association Planning Committee Members 5 The Working Group entered the study with clear agreement that Northampton has two pressing needs. The first is for a day center to support individuals who are homeless and within or eligible for the shelter system. The second is that Northampton anticipates a growing number of climate related events (flooding, temperature extremes, economic crisis, etc.) that could endanger the stability of vulnerable households. An October 2019 Report on Panhandling underscored the former concern; a May 2018 Resilience Building Workshop explored the latter. While many communities have begun to study their physical vulnerability to climate change, Northampton has connected the dots between equity and infrastructure, acknowledging that environmental events disproportionately injure residents who are low income, transient, elderly, non-English speaking, living without shelter or struggling with mental health issues and addiction. The HUB sets out to address both acute crisis and anticipated climate crisis concerns by strengthening social resilience and empowering vulnerable communities. The HUB will create useful space for the delivery of support services, opportunities for connection and community engagement, and will establish a reliable physical resource communities can turn to in a generalized crisis. The recent challenges the City has faced supporting the homeless community, providing public health information, and supporting food insecure residents during the COVID-19 business closures and social distancing restrictions underscores the urgency motivating the City’s push for the establishment of the HUB. That said, it is no small TASK 1 | PROGRAMMING task to develop a space to address economic inequity and social resilience through the partnership of a municipality and nearly 20 distinct non profits. The Working Groups’ planning efforts have been significant not only because of their specific programmatic task outcomes, but also because of the dialogue this project has facilitated between Working Group members who are ac- tively developing a common vision of partnership that will likely shape the success of the HUB to a greater extent than will the final architecture. 6 While all communities face economic and environmental challenges, Northampton is unique in its wide appeal to diverse resident populations despite high housing costs. Northampton has a comparitively expensive housing market given regional income and employment levels. Despite this, the City continues to attract young people, retirees and individuals who are homeless and looking to live in the safety of an urban setting that is less harsh than larger cities. This creates an economic precariousness that leaves many people vulnerable to disruption. Northampton is fortunate that many resource agencies exist to provide support to vulnerable groups locally. However, these services are spread widely throughout the city and surrounding region. The City lacks a single, accessible location to support and coordinate the delivery of services to vulnerable individuals and families. The unique dual mission of the HUB to assist individuals in chronic acute stress (those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness) and create a trusted resilient resource space for use in a generalized crisis, framed a set of challenges for this study. JWA led the Working Group through a series of discussions to explore the spatial needs of these two uses and their temporal and physical overlap. Rather than constantly segregate the program by users, the Working Group encouraged JWA to see the HUB as a more broadly welcoming community space addressing a continuum of capacity and vulnerability to which we all belong. JWA broke the dual program of the HUB into four distinct parts -- SUPPORT, CONNECT, COMMUNITY and CRISIS RESPONSE. 7 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning TASK 1 – TRIPLE PROGRAM GOAL Who is the Hub facility serving? Challenge : Designing for most vulnerable AND for occasionally vulnerable? 8 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Community and Resilience HUB Partnership Matrix 9 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Relationship Diagram - Concept a place where connections are made a place that supports those of us who lack a stable home a place that strengthens community a place we can all to turn to in a crisis 10 LEGAL ASSISTANCE TRAUMA RECOVER Y A D DI CT ION/R E COVERYCRISISRESPONSE CON N E C TI ONCOMM UNITY S U P PORTHUBSHELTER HOUSING & TENANCYEDUCATIONJOB OPPORTUNITIESFOOD SECURITYHE ALTHCAREVETERANSASSISTANCEPUBLICLOC K ERSPU B L IC SHO W ER S IN T E R N E T ACC E S SMAI L S ERV I C E SNEIGHBORHOOD PANTRYNEIGHBORHOOD CLOSETCLINICAL/ TELEMEDINE/ NARCANEM SLEEPING SHELTEREM WARM ING SHELTER EM DI STR IBUT ION C ENT E REM C OMM U N I CA T I O N S C E N TER RESILIEN CEACADEM Y STOR E D WA TER SUPPLYEM ME D I C A L BACK-UP POWER PV COLLECTOR COMMU N ITY C L A SSR O O M COMM U NI T Y M E E TI N G R O O M CO M M U NITY BULLETIN BOAR D COMMUNITY LIVING ROOMCOMMUNITY KITCHENCIVIC ENGAGEMENTVIRTUAL RESILEINCY SERVICES ELIOT HOUSE OUTREACH | RECOVERY CENTER | SERVICE NET WESTERN MASS NETWORK TO END HOMELESSNESS SERVICE NET COMMUNITY ACTION COORDINATED ENTRY | WAYFINDERS | VALLEY CDC DIAL/ SELF | COOLEY DICKINSON |COMMUNITY LEGAL AID |AFIYA THE SUPPORT NETWORK | LITERACY PROJECT | NORTHSTAR SERVICENET | HAMP ED COLLAB | CENTER FOR NEW AMERICANS USDA-FNS | SERVICENET | SURVIVAL CENTER MANNA | GROW FOOD NORTHAMPTON CHD | TAPESTRY COOLEY DICKINSON DRUG DIVERSION PROGRAM | NORTHAMPTON RECOVERY CENTER THE RECOVERY PROJECT | HAMPSHIRE HOPE | CSO WM RECOVERY LEARNING COMMUNITY | SALASIN PROJECT TRAUMA INFORMED HAMP NETWORK | CLINICAL SUPPORT OPTIONS COMMUNITY LEGAL AID | NORTHAMPTON POLICE DEPARTMENT CENTER FOR PUBLIC REPRESENTATION CITY OF NORTHAMPTON VETERANS ADMINISTRATION CITY OF NORTHAMPTON CITY OF NORTHAMPTON SERVICENET FORBES LIBRARY NORTHAMPTON MEDIA COMMUNITY ACTION PV SERVICENET SURVIVAL CENTER GROW FOOD NORTHAMPTON CITY OF NORTHAMPTON | TAPESTRY COOLEY DICKINSON | SERVICENET LOCAL MINISTRIES CITY OF NORTHAMPTON | HAMP ED COLLABORATIVE LOCAL ARTS, EDUCATION, BUSINESSES, NON-PROFITS CITY OF NORTHAMPTON | HAMP ED COLLABORATIVE LOCAL ARTS, EDUCATION, BUSINESSES, NON- PROFITS ANY LOCAL ENTITIES FORBES LIBRARY MANNA CITY CLERK’S OFFICE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES CITY OF NORTHAMPTON | UNITED WAY COMMUNITY ACTION PV HAMPSHIRE REGIONAL EM SHELTER ELIOT HOUSE | RECOVERY CENTER SERVICENET | LOCAL MINISTRIES CITY OF NORTHAMPTON MEMA MAYOR’S OFFICE | NORTHAMPTON POLICE DEPT NORTHAMPTON FIRE DEPT | STATE POLICE CITY OF NORTHAMPTON | COMMUNITY ACTION PV CENTER FOR ECO-TECHNOLOGY CITY OF NORTHAMPTON Across the board, the Working Group agreed to the need for a day center in Northampton where the basic needs of homeless individuals could be met. This day center would complement the existing shelter services (Interfaith, Grove Street, Hampshire County Resource Center and Eliot House) by offering a warm, safe and respectful space for showers, personal storage and a mailing address. Josh Wren, staffer at Hampshire County Resource Center, explained to JWA why this basic resource was needed. Under the current model, an individual enters the shelter system out of SUPPORT desperation, often in the winter. He or she begins to apply for housing and assistance, learns to navigate around the City to reach different resources for treatment and starts down the path out of crisis. Just as momentum picks up individuals are released back to the streets when shelters close for the summer. Like clockwork, cases of positive progress fall backwards when individuals resort to unsafe shelter or struggle to protect themselves and their belongings while living on the streets, gradually losing contact with caseworkers and support systems. The HUB, in Josh’s view, is needed to offer a space for basic subsistence and personal hygiene and a point of contact, supporting the critical work of seasonal overnight shelters and outreach workers. 12 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning TASK 1 - Exploring Program Goals – NORMAL USE PUBLIC PATRON STAFF SYSTEMS Art Public Info Recreation Education Library Garden Quiet Bathrooms Internet Charging Kiosk Vending Café Parking Sidewalk Greenspace Laundry Showers Lockers Referral Services (Shelter, etc) Translation services Mailing Address/PoC Job/Ed Counselling Recovery support Med/Pharma/Narcan Case Management Counselling Group Classes Child care? Elder Care? Quiet Area/Overnight Staff offices Storage Kitchen Pharmacy Storage Volunteer Coord Donation Coord Staff Planning Office Housekeeping Child care storage Staff bathroom Data Rm Security Systems Elec Rm Mechanical Rm Emergency Supply Backup Power/Batt. Water storage Loading Dock less secure more secure 13 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Identifying Vulnerable Populations Northampton population (2017): 28,608 Number of occupied households: 11,406 In Northampton 4,290 people (15% of the population) are below the poverty level 2,475 households (22%) have an income < $25,000 14 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Identifying Vulnerable Populations Northampton Households by Occupancy 12% speak languages other than English at home 3,474 people) 8% of households are single parents (897 households) 10% of households have no vehicles (1,103 households)17% 16% 67% Northampton Population by Age Group 55%45% 65+ years (4,590 people) Under 18 years 4,754 people) Owner Occupied 6,229 households) Renter Occupied 5,177 households) 18-65 years 19,264 people) 15 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Homeless Population in need of Shelter In Northampton in one night (January 29, 2020), counted by Three County Continuum of Care: 20 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness 47 People experiencing sheltered homelessness (excluding Soldier On) Estimated ratio of sheltered population to unsheltered/recent or temporarily homeless based on Amherst Survival Center experience 1:2 Grove Street Inn 21 beds Year round Interfaith Cot 20 beds Winter only Soldier On 17 beds Emergency, Veterans Interfaith Easthampton 6 beds Overflow only Craig's Doors Amherst 28 beds Safe Passage 6 beds Victims of domestic violence Number of Regional Beds 16 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Disability and Homelessness In Northampton 8.5% of residents have a disability and are under 65 years old (2,432 people) Nationally: People with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be homeless as non-disabled people. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is twice that of non-disabled people. More than 40% of sheltered homeless people have a disability. 24% of all homeless population are chronically homeless. In Massachusetts 21% of people with disabilities fall below the poverty line compared with 9.4% of people without disabilities. 21% 9.4% 17 With the day center compoment of the space program clearly defined, the most challenging part of JWA’s work was to get consensus from the Working Group on the other types of spaces beyond the core program of showers, storage and point of contact mail and internet service) that will be needed for the HUB to succeed. Locally there were four useful and unique examples of facilities providing some parts of the HUB’s program that JWA was able to visit and draw lessons from. These included Easthampton Community Center (ECC), Amherst Survival CONNECT Center (ASS), Hampshire County Resource Center HCRC) and the Temporary Shelter at Northampton High School. HCRC provides a good example of a crisis shelter resource with no ambition to support non- acute, vulnerable communities. ECC demonstrates a remarkably resourceful repurposing of a social hall into an active community center that also provides anti-poverty assistance. Amherst Survival Center demonstrates a custom designed, choice-based, food and community centered pantry program that erases social boundaries between those who serve and those who are served. The Temporary Shelter at Northampton High School demonstrates some of the requirements of a resilience center and emergency shelter After a review of these organizations and their spaces, and a review of several examples from beyond the region, the Working Group advocated for a more broadly welcoming facility like ASS and ECC, and for the inclusion of a clinical space, one-on-one meeting spaces, group meeting spaces, as well as an informal assembly space to facilitate fellowship and human contact between people in acute stress, people not in acute stress and resource providers. The additional office and meeting spaces were seen as especially critical to breaking the cycle of crisis many people experience. Pamela Schwartz of Western Mass Coalition to End Homelessness underscored this to JWA early on arguing that the goal of the HUB “should not be to make being homelessness easier but to make the process of getting out of homelessness easier.” Without an umbrella organization leading the charge and committing to cover operating costs, it was difficult 18 for the Working Group to come to consensus on how large a commitment should be made to the “connect” areas of the program. One value of this brief planning process was that each agency was called on to explore the impact of the HUB on their own organization’s mission and operations in their own space and time. In talking to agency representatives individually JWA learned that while there was initially concern that the HUB would complicate their missions or cause competition for scarce resources, as time progressed, each saw more and more value to the emerging vision of a one stop’ resource for delivery of services and coordinated entry point for housing, legal assistance, treatment, and other forms of support. That the HUB needed to be a neutral, safe, and welcoming space also became clear. Northampton Police Chief Jody Kasper underscored this point in a brief interview with JWA. Kasper pointed out how difficult it was for the NPD, often the first point of contact in crisis, to diffuse a situation or put individuals in contact with social workers when the only venues to meet people are the streets, the woods or the police station. She and others strongly supported the creation of a space that is safe, trusted by the entire community and respectful of all who might enter. Lev Ben-Ezra, Director of Amherst Survival Center, also strongly echoed the need for a day shelter in Northampton. People living in crisis in the area visit each of the regional pantry shelters. At ASS basic needs like storage and showers are provided in a warm, unstigmatizing and universally accessible manner. Ben-Ezra agreed that Northampton needed this type of facility but questioned the wisdom of planning the HUB without a pre-existing operator at the helm of the effort. Amherst Survival Center drew on many years of experience when designing its current facility. However, the lack of a single leader and the presence of a neutral facilitator for the HUB discussions gradually led to the development of a vision of a neutral, membership- based organization of agencies committing to the operational support of the HUB in exchange for access. This idea is not without precedent 19 in the region. A community center in the upper Quabbin, known as the Quabog Hills Region Community Center has been coming together through membership of social service agencies, including federally and state funded partners and peer-to-peer support groups. The focus at QHRCC is similar in its diversity and its emphasis on equity, recovery, respect and connection. The HUB Working Group acknowledged how difficult it is to locate resources and maintain support systems when one is homeless because of the absence of any centralized point of delivery for program entry or peer-to-peer support. The HUB will provide a space where agencies and support groups can establish consistent relationships with individuals in need and with each other. Veggies icon made by photo3idea_studio from www.flaticon.com Meeting icon made by Becris from www.flaticon.com House icon made by bqlqn from www.flaticon.com All other icons by Freepix from www.flaticon.com Two hours only, twice a week Two buses Walk along busy street Non-accessible bathrooms Only in winter No storage No curb cutsNochildcare Veggies icon made by photo3idea_studio from www.flaticon.comMeeting icon made by Becris from www.flaticon.comHouse icon made by bqlqn from www.flaticon.comAll other icons by Freepix from www.flaticon.com!!!Two hours only, twice a weekTwo busesWalk along busy streetNon- accessible bathroomsOnly in winterNo storageNo curb cutsNo childcareVeggies icon made by photo3idea_ studio from www. flaticon.com Meeting Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Site Visits - Easthampton Community Center 5000sf programmed space, 3400sf basement 21 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Provides pantry, hot meal, day center resources without regard to who client is or where they come from. Also provides community center resource for AA, community meetings, crafting, youth programs, and rentals. Feel strongly that the community programs enable the pantry programs. Users: 200 hot meals max. capacity (normal mode) 1350 families use pantry services 250 families added since March 2020) Staff: 1 paid staff, 200 volunteers (current) Space types: est. 3000 gsf plus 2,000sf accessible main floor) Community Room - roughly 1500sf Office Flip office space for Food Bank outreach staff Kitchen 120sf Conf. Rm./Activity Rm 200sf Pantry/Storage 800-1000sf Vestibule that is used for pick up/drop off 120sf Parking Key Lessons for HUB Community programs build trust, creates continuum of access/volunteerism Decades of built experience Seems to be highly dependent on one amazing staff person Highly sensitive to the changing demographics of Easthampton, including youth at-risk, newly unemployed and seniors Also serves same acute need population as Northampton shelters and Amherst Survival. Does amazing job of arranging donations, relationships Robin’s Wish List Shower Rm/Lockers/Address to assist homeless job seekers. Emergency sleeping quarters for crisis situations. Better transit to support circulation between Northampton Senior Center, Northampton shelters, Northampton Housing Authority and Easthampton Church shelter and ECC. Site Visits - Easthampton Community Center Interview with Robin Bialecki, Director 22 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Site Visits - Northampton Temporary Shelter at NHS 23 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Site Visits - Northampton Temporary Shelter at NHS Provides temporary shelter to healthy homeless clients within the requirements of COVID-19 social distancing. Users: 48-52 per day Staff: 4-5 paid staff, 2-3 volunteers (daily) Space types: Check in/Temp Testing Dining Servery(bag meal) Coffee Area Dining Area Movie Lounge (in dining) Sleep Area (gym/ cots) Isolation Rm Shower/Restrooms/Lockers Storage combined with office area Staff/Records/Casework Space Security Rm(!) Key Lessons for HUB Stay flexible/learn by doing Code requirements for resiliency shelter need to be planned for even if shelter is not in normal mode. High need population can be disruptive and need special spaces (“isolation rooms”) at times. Don’t count on regional/state/fed assistance. Plan for local relationships. Develop MOUs locally. Commercial grade laundry machines, if possible. Allow for higher storage capacity for patrons and facility. Design for good sanitation/ventilation/spacing & check in Hot meals are complicated and not critical to success, but the coffee service and leisure activities were very well received by users 24 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Site Visits - Amherst Survival Center 6500sf programmed space, 3000+/-sf basement 25 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Site Visits - Amherst Survival Center Provides pantry, hot meal, day center resources without regard to who client is or where they come from. Users: 100 lunches per day (normal mode) 6000 meals a year Staff: 11 paid staff, 250 - 280 volunteers (current) Space types: 6,500 gsf (plus 3,000sf storage basement) Community Room - roughly 1000sf Community Store 600sf Program Director 200sf Pantry 800sf Kitchen 400sf Refrigeration/storage/loading 500sf Workshop 300sf Admin plus two offices 500-600sf Clinic area (2 exam plus sink area) 350-400sf Bathrooms/locker/laundry /showers Key Lessons for HUB For Amherst Survival Center, community-building btw patrons, volunteers and staff means treating everyone (equally-sharing restrooms, etc). While showers and storage can be accomodated, “shelter needs” of acutely stressed/homeless patrons in a day center may not be compatible with community center goals during normal mode. Hot food service is a positive source of community building, but is a higher per sf program area with higher energy use. Volunteers are critical to culture but can’t be counted on. Design around minimal staffing to ease operational costs. The range of people needing support includes people who drive, bike, bus and walk. Parking space will be heavily used if made available. Transit connections and walkability are critical. All these facilities are a network. Complement and strengthen the network. Don’t compete. Interview with Lev Ben-Ezra, Director 26 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Architectural Lessons Central visual, staffed, control hub/check-in Varied ceilings/sense of openness helps to make all patrons/staff feel safe & welcome Daylighting and interior lites help with visibility/equality/sense of safety Varied space sizes allows for flexibility Durable floors reduce fuzziness/maintenance Wood trim and daylight balance durability with warm character Lockers/shower/restrooms in lobby area reduces stigma and allows observation Large PV Array meets only 25% of energy need Hot kitchen creates large space/equipment and energy needs. Site Visits - Amherst Survival Center 27 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Provides social services, health clinic, mail and computer access, daytime warming/cooling, showers, laundry, bathrooms year round. Provides shelter and meals in winter. Users: 20+ overnight patrons in winter Staff: 2-3 daytime staff (director, 2 caseworkers) Space types: ~ 3,000 gsf Reception Private Offices (2) Exam room Triage station Community/Living Room Kitchen Servery/Dining Area Dorms (3) Restrooms/Showers/Laundry Small meeting/counseling rooms Key Lessons for HUB Basement setting with limited windows. Circuitous layout not ideal. Inefficient, leads to bottlenecks. The entry/sign-in area is the most congested. The facility is meeting basic needs, but additional laundry, storage, and sanitation spaces would improve service. Facility usage varies by season (more use in winter), time of month (more use end of month), and day of week (more use on clinic days) No personal storage is allowed due to space limitations, but would be a valuable addition. Mail room, community computer, and cell phone charging area area a critical service. Busiest during health clinic days. Not sufficient exam or triage areas. Often take over offices and reception area for triage. Interview with Josh Wren, Caseworker Site Visit - Hampshire County Resource Center Center Street, Northampton 28 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Site Visit - Hampshire County Resource Center 29 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning From Interview with Josh: The current central location is advantageous despite space constraints. The challenge is helping patrons to get to other appointments/service locations across town. ( that transportation issue again) Having a centralized hub (one-stop) for services would greatly improve ability to assist homeless individuals. Having it not be seasonally dependent would also be a positive change. Since the growth in the homeless numbers are in LGBTQ youth, having the day center separate from shelter may make it more welcoming to people who need assistance but are not bedding in shelter spaces. He also noted the need for spanish language services to meet growing spanish speaking community. Noted importance of engagement with Northampton Police when planning a space. Interview with Josh Wren, Caseworker Site Visit - Hampshire County Resource Center Center Street, Northampton 30 COMMUNITY In reviewing the community spaces and adjacencies of the Amherst Survival Center, Easthampton Community Center and the cafeteria of the Northampton High School Temp Shelter, the Working Group debated how much space and what kinds of space should be made available for general community events. The Working Group agreed that while the HUB would not regularly provide shelter, it should be able to function as an emergency sleep shelter and warming and cooling shelter in a disruption (the CRISIS or disruption” mode of operation). The Working Group wanted enough space in the HUB to store emergency resources and be effective as a small emergency warming/sleep shelter to the larger community in an emergency, but not so much space that it would difficult to maintain or afford the operation of the HUB under normal conditions. JWA set a goal of providing the ability to support 50 or fewer people in cots in an emergency, ideally in several distinct spaces rather than a single space Several members of the group felt that more assembly space was needed because of a lack of community space in downtown Northampton currently, and because the demand for welcoming and respectful spaces for poor people in our community is far greater than the City can currently meet and will likely continue to grow. Others felt strongly that the program should be infused with art and education spaces in order to be a more holistic resource with wider appeal. Ultimately, with little immediate clarity on the financial capacity to support a larger program or to find a space greater than 10,000 square feet in the downtown, it was agreed the core program for the HUB should only include as much community space as is needed to support the crisis use of the facility with an understanding that these community spaces could serve as meeting and education spaces during normal operation. This area was set at roughly 1,800 square feet broken up into several spaces of different size in order to support different types of gatherings. 31 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Question: How do you create community with space? Answer: By sharing the space and sharing the power to control the space. people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness people struggling with addiction/recovery people with mental health needs people with physical disabilities people seeking nutrition assistance people seeking workforce assistance or benefit assistance veterans LGBTQ youth and adults, particularly transfolk families, particularly single parent and low income households low income seniors migrant workers undocumented residents members of refugee communities climate refugees examples: Stavros Generation Q UniTy parent communities Pioneer Valley Workers Center Center for New Americans climate activist groups political empowerment groups cultural and racial identity groups 32 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Projected Range of Construction Costs minimal hub communitycentercommunity “living room” central outreachHUBJWAobservation: The more space there is, the more useful in disruption” mode.33 Clear to the group from the outset was that the proposed HUB needed to be capable of maintaining operations and supporting the community in a period of crisis. JWA looked to examples of resilience programs elsewhere, met with Northampton Fire Chief Jon Davine, and closely reviewed the guidelines of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network USDN) to estimate the required space needs for the HUB as a community crisis response center. CRISIS RESPONSE Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning TASK 1 - Sample System Needs for “Disruption” Mode PROTECT ADAPT BACK-UP PLAN Minimize Disruption Impact Design to Withstand Disruption Redundancy for System Failures Minimize Disruption of Service Dry/wet floodproofing Site perimeter floodproofing Backwater valves Sump pumps Protected utilities Passive design strategies Envelope efficiency Elevated equipment Surface stormwater management Window shading Back-up power supply On-site power generation Emergency lighting and security Access to potable water Communication system redundancy Emergency management manual Train core staff on building systems/ operations Ample storage of emergency supplies Adapted from Enterprise Green Communities- Resiliency Guide 34 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Program Scope Question What do we really mean by “resilient”? able to strengthen vulnerable communities in an ongoing way able to offer a warming/cooling/shelter able to distribute food in a crisis able to provide shelter in a crisis able to physically sustain major environmental crisis able to serve as an EM communications central control during a major crisis SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTAL 35 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Bridge Project - Dallas, TX Single Point of Contact Outreach Housing First Approach Example of unmasking the need Interesting architectural strategies Regionalism vs. Localism Architect Project Page Project History/Challenges Daylighting Trauma focused design One-stop resource provision Storage and exterior spaces Design Lessons Sharing Additional Precedents/Resources 36 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Brookdale Village Senior Center, Far Rockaway Enhancement of existing facility At site of vulnerable population Adaptable based on crisis Architect Project Page Provision of emergency supplies Installation of generators Flood protection Space adaptation to crisis Design Lessons Sharing Additional Precedents/Resources 37 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Review of Research, Michael J. Berens DESIGNING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT FOR RECOVERY FROMHOMELESSNESSReviewspeer-reviewed research on the efficacy of specific design strategies: Safety/Sense of Control Lack of clutter Greening Acknowledging Identity Serving Special Needs Durability & Maintenance Storage Wellness Multiuse Sharing Additional Precedents/Resources 38 In a series of diagrams JWA demonstrated the impact of these program goals on the overall project size, while also pointing out overlap between spaces in normal and disruption mode to increase space utilization and efficiency. The resilience goals of the project ultimately add roughly 800sf to the total program with an additional 600 to 700sf overlapping with other normal operation program spaces. Over three meetings JWA presented summaries of various space programs ranging in size from 3,400 gsf to 21,200 gsf to help the committee understand the potentials. After careful PROGRAM SUMMARY deliberation the final program goal was set at a 6,500 gsf with an upward range of 10,504 gsf, and a minimum search goal of 5,000gsf in an existing building, with the caveat that the Group strongly favored selection of a location that allowed room for expansion. 39 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Preliminary Program Spreadsheets https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JfdnRbRorjFByjRFmsAkl2TJCEo9Wrvy/ view?usp=sharing PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHMENT/LINK: Minimal HUB lockers showers restrooms point of contact charging station info kiosk transit access Central Living Rm basic needs plus: community room small kitchen reading room swing space office EM storage Central Outreach HUB living room plus 3 offices more personal storage clinic space more leisure/ed space overnight sleeping area Full Community HUB outdoor space more staff space more public space more shelter potential more program separation 40 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Updated Program Spreadsheet https://drive.google.com/file/d/171ZDDLd67msk07spizDV-vPZZfakyezs/ view?usp=sharing PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHMENT/LINK: Central Living Rm basic needs plus: community room small kitchen reading room swing space office EM storage Central Outreach HUB living room plus 3 offices more personal storage clinic space more leisure/ed space 41 Preliminary Program Northampton Community & Resilience Hub SMALL MEDIUM Normal Use Disruption Use ROOM NFA1 # OF RMS area totals ROOM NFA1 # OF RMS area totals P U B L I C Vestibule Vestibule 70 1 70 70 1 70 Lobby Emergency Communications 250 1 250 250 1 250 Reception 150 1 150 150 1 150 Info Board/Kiosk 40 1 40 40 1 40 Charging Kiosk Charging Kiosk 40 1 40 40 1 40 Reading Room/Computer Rm Flexible Community Gathering / Shelter 300 1 300 300 1 300 Community/Lecture Room 800 1 800 800 1 900 Art Classroom 650 1 650 650 1 650 Add. Public Meeting/Classrooms Public Lockers Public Lockers 80 1 80 120 1 120 Restrooms Restrooms 65 3 195 65 4 260 Subtotal 2575 Subtotal2780P A T R O N Food Pantry + Clothing Exchange Food/Supply Distribution 80 1 80 200 1 200 Mail Area Mail Area 40 1 40 40 1 40 Sm Counseling Flexible Exam/Counseling/Isolation Rooms 145 1 145 145 2 290 Gr Counseling 225 1 225 Exam Rm Exam Room / First Aid 160 1 160 160 2 320 Triage/Nurse Station Triage/Nurse Station 120 1 120 120 1 120 Pharmacy EM Dist. and Prescription Storage 145 1 145 Shower Rm Public Showers 60 1 60 60 3 180 Laundry Rm Public Laundry 80 1 80 150 1 150 Restrooms Public Restrooms 65 2 130 Kitchen Emergency Food Preparation 250 1 250 450 1 450 Offices EM Staff Offices 135 2 270 135 3 405 Director 1 1 42 PATRON Volunteer Coordinator EM Staff Offices 1 Outreach/Flip Office 1 1 Add. Office Space Security Office Security Office 125 1 125 125 1 125 Planning/Communications Rm Planning/ EM Response 250 1 250 250 1 250 Staff Restrooms Staff Restrooms 65 1 65 65 2 130 Subtotal 1645 Subtotal3160S E R V I C E Additional Belongings Storage Patron Storage During Disruption 300 1 300 Donations Processing EM Supply Storage, Distribution, Flex Space 200 1 200 EM Shelter Storage 300 1 300 300 1 300 Food/Water Storage 250 1 250 Custodial Storage Custodial Storage 120 1 120 200 1 200 Office/Dry Storage Stor. for Normal Use Office in Disrup 80 1 80 Mechanical Rm Mechanical Rm 200 1 200 225 1 225 EM Electrical Room EM Electrical Room 70 1 70 70 1 70 Data Closet Data Closet 70 1 70 70 1 70 Water/Graywater/FP Systems Water/Graywater/FP Systems 100 1 100 Loading Dock Loading Dock 200 1 200 Waste/Recycling Waste/Recycling 40 1 40 80 1 80 Pet Area Pet Area 65 1 65 Subtotal 800 Subtotal 2140 Total Building Net Floor Area (NFA)5,020 8,080 Grossing factor 1.3 1.3 Total Gross Building Area 6,526 10,504 43 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Building Program as Proxy for Relationships 44 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Program Diagram: Disruption Use 45 JWA also assisted the Working Group in developing a tool that could be used by the City Planning and Sustainability Department to assess perspective sites for the HUB. The chief value of this effort was that it aggregated the perspectives of the members of the Working Group into a single tool. JWA drafted a matrix of criteria with the group’s input and then determined a system of weighting each criteria by surveying the Working Group through an online questionnaire that allowed for the fast and objective tabulation of results. Based on this process it was clear that the group valued TASK 2 | SITE ASSESSMENT TOOL flexibility, expandability and resilience over many other potential site characteristics. The final assessment tool and the results of the internal survey are attached to this report. 46 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning TASK 2 - Site Assessment STEP 1 Zoning Tax Assessor Info/Parcel Map Flood Insurance Maps Census/Ward/Precinct GIS Data- Building footprints Field Documentation Work with City Staff to establish base map STEP 2 Building MEP systems Condition of Envelope Structural integrity Utility connections Site amenities Location/adjacencies Solar orientation Hardscape/parking Greenspace 47 48 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Proposed Limits of Search Area 49 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning TASK 2 - Site Assessment Evaluation – Criteria/Weighting Expansion Potential Exterior Hardscape/Softscape Site Configuration Entry/Exit Points Site security Topo constraints Adjacencies City Master Plan Goals Hazardous Site Materials Building Remediation Costs Building Dimensional Restrictions Acquisition cost Acquisition barriers Historic Building Status Stormwater/soil considerations Development opportunity cost Loading/Unloading Universal Accessibility Solar orientation/PV potential Utility Infrastructure Capacity to meet program space needs Neighborhood safety Neighborhood Impact/acceptance Proximity to shelters/police/fire/schools Public visibility 50 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Assessment Tool Review: Survey Results If 6 or more responses rated a criteria “very important” or its average score was higher than 2.40, this criteria was awarded a weight factor of 5. If 6 or more responses rated a criteria “somewhat important” or its average score was higher than 2.20, this criteria was awarded a weight factor of 3. If the average score was less than 2.20 but more than 1.5 it was awarded a weight factor of 1. If the average score was less than 1.5 it was deleted entirely. assessment matrix 51 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Assessment Tool Review: Survey Results HUB Site Assessment Survey Results Question 1 - MUST HAVE’s other comments stressed expandability, low EUI, and alternate path to zoning compliance 52 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Assessment Tool Review: Survey Results Question 2 - General Criteria 53 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Assessment Tool Review: Survey Results Question 3 - Resiliency Criteria 54 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Assessment Tool Review link to pdf of final assessment doc added by JWA 55 JWA surveyed three current building projects, and gathered information on comparable public construction efforts in Northampton to establish a baseline set of costs per square foot for direct costs in renovation and new construction that would serve as a starting point for project cost estimating. Because the HUB includes a higher percentage of storage area than typical commercial construction, JWA broke the per square foot construction cost figure down into three levels of finish. JWA includes a grossing factor of .3 to the building area, and used a 1.3 multiplier to calculate TASK 3 | COSTING the difference between direct construction cost and project cost. These costs assume a level 2 to level 4 finish with simple, durable and healthy materials. Based on the goals outlined by the Working Group, JWA also recommends a modular structural system that can be easily adapted over time to avoid investment in a fixed end result that can’t be altered. The space would ideally have generous passageways, or even better, connected common spaces that support the goal of universal design and trauma sensitive environmental design. It would also ideally include organized storage to reduce clutter, provide appealing finishes and include the warmth of natural materials. A single story building near a parking area or public park would also be advantageous for potential exterior staging needs but may be difficult to locate in a downtown as historic as Northampton. Lacking a single story design, a building with daylight on two sides and existing accessibility between floors could suffice. Specific building characteristics to look for include good daylighting, high ceilings, clear internal sightlines, durable but adaptable finishes, and an overall layout that does not require a map to navigate. How much public street presence or visibility is ideal will remain a source of debate until a space is selected. As architects we feel a side street storefront should not be avoided outright as it could be re-purposed with benefit coming from a public presence. A modular industrial building could work, as could an older building with character as long as it is capable of being made fully accessible. 56 Northampton Community & Resilience Hub Planning Projected Range of Project Cost SMALL: community living room” HUB basic resources outreach contact community room sm kitchen, pantry and store donations/volunteerism some resilience sheltering 5,500 gsf 1.5M - 1.9M MEDIUM: central outreach HUB All of the above plus more program area & staff/clinic space 10,500 gsf 2.8M - 3.5M Site acquisition and operational costs not included. COVID impact on costs not yet known. https://https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JfdnRbRorjFByjRFmsAkl2TJCEo9Wrvy view?usp=sharing (look at second tab) 57 Preliminary Costing Northampton Community & Resilience Hub RENOVATION SMALL MEDIUM Net SF Gross SF Cost per SF Subtotal Net SF Gross SF Cost per SF Subtotal PUBLIC (2,575) (3,348) 200 ($669,500) PUBLIC (2,780) (3,614) 200 ($722,800) PATRON (1,645) (2,139) 220 ($470,470) PATRON (3,160) (4,108) 220 ($903,760) SERVICE (800) (1,040) 180 ($187,200) SERVICE (2,140) (2,782) 180 ($500,760) Total (5,020) (6,526) ($1,327,170)Total (8,080) (10,504) ($2,127,320) Project Cost 1.3 ($1,725,321)Project Cost 1.3 ($2,765,516) NEW SMALL MEDIUM Net SF Gross SF Cost per SF Subtotal Net SF Gross SF Cost per SF Subtotal PUBLIC (2,575) (3,348) 260 ($870,350) PUBLIC (2,780) (3,614) 260 ($939,640) PATRON (1,645) (2,139) 280 ($598,780) PATRON (3,160) (4,108) 280 ($1,150,240) SERVICE (800) (1,040) 220 ($228,800) SERVICE (2,140) (2,782) 220 ($612,040) Total (5,020) (6,526) ($1,697,930)Total (8,080) (10,504) ($2,701,920) Project Cost 1.3 ($2,207,309)Project Cost 1.3 ($3,512,496) 58 Throughout the programming process the Working Group emphasized the importance designing the HUB to promote the dignity of facility users. What this means in terms of specific design strategies and objectives will be addressed in the future design phase of this project. The Working Group agreed that it will be critical to bring the intended HUB users into the discussion of creating an inclusive and dignified space. For this programming study, JWA and the Working Group began to identify areas that will require careful consideration during future design processes. DESIGNING FOR INCLUSIVITY These include: Trauma informed design Design for mental health Design for social distancing Design for accessibly Design for gender flexibility To a limited extent, some of these considerations could impact building and site selection. For example it is suggested that only sites that are already universally accessible, or that can easily be made accessible be considered. Likewise, buildings that allow a high degree of flexibility should be prioritized due to their ability to accommodate different spatial needs and strategies from ongoing research in topics like trauma informed design. Many of the above mentioned design strategies have co- benefits and can improve universal hospitality. For example, designing for social distancing and allowing sufficient space between users can make a facility more comfortable to use for hearing impaired and those with autism. As is often the case, making a building inclusive for one vulnerable group can have positive impacts on the building for all users. 59 APPENDIX A: FINAL PROGRAM Preliminary Program Northampton Community & Resilience Hub SMALL MEDIUM Normal Use Disruption Use ROOM NFA1 # OF RMS area totals ROOM NFA1 # OF RMS area totals P U B L I C Vestibule Vestibule 70 1 70 70 1 70 Lobby Emergency Communications 250 1 250 250 1 250 Reception 150 1 150 150 1 150 Info Board/Kiosk 40 1 40 40 1 40 Charging Kiosk Charging Kiosk 40 1 40 40 1 40 Reading Room/Computer Rm Flexible Community Gathering / Shelter 300 1 300 300 1 300 Community/Lecture Room 800 1 800 800 1 900 Art Classroom 650 1 650 650 1 650 Add. Public Meeting/Classrooms Public Lockers Public Lockers 80 1 80 120 1 120 Restrooms Restrooms 65 3 195 65 4 260 Subtotal 2575 Subtotal2780P A T R O N Food Pantry + Clothing Exchange Food/Supply Distribution 80 1 80 200 1 200 Mail Area Mail Area 40 1 40 40 1 40 Sm Counseling Flexible Exam/Counseling/Isolation Rooms 145 1 145 145 2 290 Gr Counseling 225 1 225 Exam Rm Exam Room / First Aid 160 1 160 160 2 320 Triage/Nurse Station Triage/Nurse Station 120 1 120 120 1 120 Pharmacy EM Dist. and Prescription Storage 145 1 145 Shower Rm Public Showers 60 1 60 60 3 180 Laundry Rm Public Laundry 80 1 80 150 1 150 Restrooms Public Restrooms 65 2 130 Kitchen Emergency Food Preparation 250 1 250 450 1 450 Offices EM Staff Offices 135 2 270 135 3 405 Director 1 1 PATRON Volunteer Coordinator EM Staff Offices 1 Outreach/Flip Office 1 1 Add. Office Space Security Office Security Office 125 1 125 125 1 125 Planning/Communications Rm Planning/ EM Response 250 1 250 250 1 250 Staff Restrooms Staff Restrooms 65 1 65 65 2 130 Subtotal 1645 Subtotal3160S E R V I C E Additional Belongings Storage Patron Storage During Disruption 300 1 300 Donations Processing EM Supply Storage, Distribution, Flex Space 200 1 200 EM Shelter Storage 300 1 300 300 1 300 Food/Water Storage 250 1 250 Custodial Storage Custodial Storage 120 1 120 200 1 200 Office/Dry Storage Stor. for Normal Use Office in Disrup 80 1 80 Mechanical Rm Mechanical Rm 200 1 200 225 1 225 EM Electrical Room EM Electrical Room 70 1 70 70 1 70 Data Closet Data Closet 70 1 70 70 1 70 Water/Graywater/FP Systems Water/Graywater/FP Systems 100 1 100 Loading Dock Loading Dock 200 1 200 Waste/Recycling Waste/Recycling 40 1 40 80 1 80 Pet Area Pet Area 65 1 65 Subtotal 800 Subtotal 2140 Total Building Net Floor Area (NFA)5,020 8,080 Grossing factor 1.3 1.3 Total Gross Building Area 6,526 10,504 APPENDIX B: FINAL SITE ASSESSMENT TOOL Evaluation Criteria Weight Factor Score Weighted Score Allows for exibility/easily altered oor plan 5 Low energy costs - good insulation & mechanicals 5 Low operating costs - low maintenance 5 Room for expansion over time 5 Potential for on site solar generation 5 Good daylighting 5 On site parking/ADA spaces 3 Stormwater can be managed without additional infrastructure 3 Includes potential for exterior staging area/bike storage 3 Easily made accessible does not need elevator or complex ramp) 3 Will not adversely impact neighbors 3 Good visibility to community 1 Good adjacency other community resource 1 Requires rezoning -1 High acquisition cost -3 High renovation/construction costs -3 Has high site/hazmat costs/concerns -5 l Is within 1/2 mile of town l Is on public transportation route l Has access to City water & sewer l Can support a 5,000sf or larger use l Is capable of supporting backup power generation/communications l Has potential for expansion Address____________________________________ Current Use______________________________ Acreage/Area ____________________________ Parcel Info_______________________________ Current Owner___________________________ Zoning __________________________________