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Downtown Community Multi-Purpose Center

KU ARCH658, Spring 2004

Working with the Downtown Community Task Force, a coalition of public agencies, social service providers, and downtown business representatives, fourth-year architecture students from the University of Kansas are developing pre-design and programming concepts for a non-residential multi-purpose facility near downtown Kansas City. Led by Prof. Gaylord Richardson, the semester-long assignment includes an urban analysis of relevant economic and social issues; consultation with prospective client and tenant organizations; and site analysis and facility programming for the building itself.

The prospective facility will provide a range of services to men, women, and families in crisis. Among the functions being explored are individual case management offices for social workers; access to job training services; shower, laundry, and locker facilities; a computer lab and library/media resource center; recreational facilities; and craft rooms and workshops. Other amenities may include indoor and outdoor gathering places; a community kitchen or cafeteria; conference and recreational rooms; legal services; medical and dental clinics; and a thrift store that doubles as an employment center for clients.

The student work also will include an evaluation of alternative sites for the facility, and will form the core of a KCDC-authored feasibility study prepared for the Task Force.