Second Avenue Commons
Second Avenue Commons, provides sanctuary, support, and resources for people experiencing homelessness in downtown Pittsburgh. The facility enables individuals greater self-sufficiency on their path to a safe and secure quality of life. The design is the result of an unprecedented collaboration among stakeholders representing more than a dozen entities including local healthcare, government, public safety, social services, NGO, and professional services (design & construction) organizations.
Project Team
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- TOP PROJECTS
- Energy Innovation Center
- Strip District Master Plan
- The Bentley
- Giant Eagle Market District at Grandview Yards
- District 15 Office Building
- Second Avenue Commons
- Washington Area Business Incubator
- Duquesne University Union Broadcast Center
- La Prima Espresso AC Marriott
- Laurel Mountain Retreat: Entertainment Barn
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- TOP PROJECTS
- 9th and Penn Building
- PennWest Clarion University Tippin Gymnasium & Natatorium Renovation
- SouthSide Works Office Building
- Pennsylvania State University East Halls
- Monongalia County Ballpark
- Petersen Sports Complex Addition
- Berks Campus Beaver Community Center Study
- Penn State Bryce Jordan Center Basketball Suite Renovations
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- Owner
- Project Cares Pittsburgh Nonprofit
- Owner's Representative
- PNC
- Operator
- Pittsburgh Mercy
- Contractor
- PJ Dick
- Teaming Partners
- McKim & Creed
- KAG Engineering
- Ceeva, Inc.
- J. Frank Studios
- The Gateway Engineers
- Services
- Architecture
- Interior Design
- Construction Administration
- Completion Date
- October 2022
- Project Size
- 42,000 SF
- Project Cost
- $22 Million
The goal of this project, initially called Project Cares in the planning stage, was to establish consensus from a broad spectrum of stakeholders for a year-round, “low barrier” shelter with wrap-around services to address the myriad and complex issues confronting people experiencing homelessness. The space needs to enable greater self-sufficiency on an individual’s path to a safe and secure quality of life while ultimately reducing chronic homelessness in Pittsburgh.
DLA+ facilitated an intensive design process using a “workshop” format to coordinate the input of stakeholders with consensus around a vision for a successful project. Among the drivers of design and the delivery of services are dignity, personal control, security and privacy, harm reduction, flexibility, trauma-informed care and design and flexibility. The shelter's functions and services include the following key components:
- Intake: customary coordinated entry functions to accept clients.
- Client Services: including Case Management to assess the needs and navigate to appropriate resources, and Supportive Services as a small clinic for health and mental health consultation.
- Drop-in Center: offering personally hygiene and client services to individuals experiencing homelessness but who are not staying at the facility.
- Congregate Sleeping & Hygiene Center: 92 beds in group sleeping rooms with appropriate personal hygiene facilities, with space for an additional 33 beds in the winter.
- Community Space and Amenities: commons area including lounges, a library and computer room, lounges, kitchen, dining and outdoor space.
- SRO’s: 42 single room occupancy units to facilitate transition to independent housing.
These accommodations resulted in a facility of approximately 42,000 gross square feet assembled on the Second Avenue site in Downtown Pittsburgh.
For more detail on what into the planning, design and construction of this public-private partnership, read the Viewpoints article: https://www.dlaplus.com/pages/introducing-second-avenue-commons
*Interior photos copyright Denmarsh Photography Inc. / DLA+ Architecture & Interior Design; Exterior photo copyright DLA+ Architecture & Interior Design
