An Urgent Response to Homelessness
To address rising homelessness in the community, in December of 2018, Anaheim City Council allocated $2,000,000 to convert a 12,000-square-foot piano store into a fully functioning and operational homeless shelter in just 51 days. The shelter would provide a living space for up to 102 people, and include shared common areas, a kitchen, a dining room, restrooms, outdoor recreational areas, and facilities for staff and counselors to help individuals that have been affected by homelessness and transition them into permanent housing. The project had a fast turnaround as initial plans for a shelter on La Palma Avenue fell through because of opposition from local business owners.
New Shelter Features
To complete this project in less than two months, the City had to internally demolish the existing store, construct a new elevated restroom/shower area, create multiple large dorm rooms, build dining and kitchen areas, staff rooms, and counseling rooms, and create a new security front check-in area. Because extensive living spaces were added, the improved facility required 200 feet of new 6-inch sewer line and laterals, a new 4-inch fire line, and a 2-inch domestic water service line.
Quick and Efficient Project Delivery
Ghirardelli Associates (Ghirardelli) supported the City during all phases of construction including inspection services. Our team managed the accelerated construction schedule and coordinated multiple trades working concurrently at the job site. Our assigned Resident Engineers and Construction Managers tracked the job with detailed diaries, coordinated outside utility installations, and worked with the Fire Department on fire suppression system installations (alarm monitoring and sprinklers). All work was inspected to the City of Anaheim standards, and construction was completed on time, within budget, and with minimal impact on the surrounding community.
In 2019 the Anaheim Emergency Bed Shelter project was awarded APWA’s Building Project of the Year and in 2019 ASCE Community Improvement Project of the Year.
