Durham County Human Services Pre-Design Services (Programming and Masterplan)

LOCATION: Durham, NC
PROJECT SIZE:
PROJECT COST: $0
In 2000, Durham County completed a Space Needs Analysis and Masterplan that identified the County’s long range need for space and defined a plan of action for meeting that need.  Space and location deficiencies resulting in operational inefficiencies were identified in departments within the Human Services and recommendations for corrections were proposed.

The County ultimately concluded that a new Human Services facility would be provided and in 2003 hired Freelon to complete an initial three-phase pre-design study responding to the 2000 Masterplan recommendations; Operations Analysis, Programming and Masterplanning.

Phase 1 - Operations Analysis:
The first phase included operations analysis and began with detailed review of each of the department divisions that regularly service clients through a hands-on process. Tours of each division were conducted for first hand observation of service delivery.  Key staff persons were interviewed in detail and maps depicting the existing processes and workflow of client / patient types through existing facilities were developed.  The information from these process maps was then used to generate computer simulation models showing baseline operations.  The model generated critical information such as existing client through-put times, wait times, and bottlenecks.

The next step involved determining the desired future process or “new way of looking” based on best practices.  This began with a review of the County’s departmental plans for future client / patient types and visits and plans for any relevant reorganization.  It also included reviewing and observing the operations of peer facilities for pertinent benchmarking information.  Future workflow of client / patient types was determined through a series of brainstorming sessions with staff.  Future process maps were produced and a computer simulation was generated to model potential future operations based on documented workflow and to quantify potential performance improvements.

Phase 2 - Programming:
The future operations model was used to inform and establish the building program, the second phase.  Programming continued with detailed questionnaires, staff interviews, and work sessions.  Room data sheets showing conceptual layouts, spatial and environmental requirements, and programmatic requirements were developed consistent with the requirements of the County’s 2000 Space Needs Analysis and Masterplan.

Phase 3 - Masterplanning:
The third phase of site masterplanning included analysis of existing site conditions and solutions for building and parking types and locations.  Potential sites were located somewhere within the 300 to 500 block of East Main Street; consistent with the 2000 Masterplan and City zoning requirements. This process began with the recognition of the significance of this project in contributing to the growth and revitalization of this area of downtown Durham.  A goal of the site master plan was to encourage future mixed-use development, particularly retail, that is critical to fostering an active downtown environment.  There are potential plans to extend the streetscape targeted for West Main Street to this eastern end of Main Street to further promote street level pedestrian activity important to this urban setting.  The location of mass parking was critical as an attraction for future private development and to gain and encourage pedestrian movement along Main Street. 

Four schemes were developed and ultimately the final design located the building in the 400 Block of East Main Street with adjacent surface parking in the 500 block.  Future long-term County plans would include providing a nearby parking deck and eliminating the majority of surface parking to provide for potential future private development.