Shelter for Family Safety has undergone several big property upgrades to improve safety, accessibility and functionality. Four major updates were completed in the past few weeks, and according to Shelter Facilities Supervisor Mark Sigette, some of these improvements have been in the works since we moved into the new building.
“Even though the Shelter is new, we’re still working on improvements to keep the campus safe, functional, attractive and easy to maintain,” said Mark.
One of the most notable changes is the new walkway at the front of the building. Mark explained that people began walking through the landscaping when the building first opened. “When we moved in, I saw that people were already walking through the plants,” he smiled while shaking his head. “I told Amy Carter—the Director at the time—that we should have poured a walkway from the beginning.”
The new lot south of the Shelter has also seen big changes. When CHS first acquired the new property, it was overgrown and not in very good condition. This summer, the Facilities team cleaned it up—removing trash and dying trees, mowing the lawn, spraying weeds and most recently adding a sidewalk. The new walkway connects Shelter’s sidewalk on St. Paul Avenue to the one on East 10th Street.
“The sidewalk will help both clients and staff,” said Mark. “The closest bus stop is near Casey’s on East 10th, so this makes it easier and safer—especially for clients with mobility issues—to get there and back.”
Now that CHS owns the lot, it’s also our job to maintain the sidewalks. “We care about the safety of our staff just as much as the safety of our clients,” said Mark. “This new sidewalk will make snow removal much safer. Without it, the Facilities team would’ve had to drive equipment on the street to reach the sidewalk on 10th.”
At the back of the building, the team resolved a long-standing drainage issue. Since moving in, water had been leaking into the basement mechanical room after rain or snowmelt. After trying several different ways to fix the problem with no success, the team decided to pour a concrete pad with a slope and drain to redirect the water away from the building.
The biggest upgrade happened to the patio and playground area. “We used mulch to cover the dirt, but it wasn’t a good long-term solution,” said Mark. “When it rained, the area became muddy and unusable. It was hard to maintain and made a mess in the building.”
A new concrete surface gives children more space to play, ride bikes and set up games—rain or shine. “The concrete drains better, doesn’t need maintenance and makes the space more usable,” said Mark. The concrete also ties in nicely with the playground, thanks to the charcoal-gray color that matches the shade structure.
These updates may seem small, but they’re already improving how the space works for staff and clients every day. “A huge thank you to Patrick Miller and Keith Christofferson—they did most of the cleanup and prep work. I also want to thank Brad Hanson for giving Keith the time to help us with these projects,” said Mark. “This really was a team effort, and it’s a great example of how we’re better together.”