Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Common Ground - a hotel project similar to Wayside's plans

The Times Square – Common Ground
Acquired by Common Ground in 1991, the Times Square is the largest permanent supportive housing project in the nation. A once-stately neighborhood fixture that had fallen into serious disrepair, Common Ground carefully preserved the building’s historic character while redeveloping it into housing for 652 low-income and formerly homeless individuals and persons living with HIV/AIDS.

The Times Square combines permanent affordable housing with a range of on-site social services provided by Common Ground’s social service partner, the Center for Urban Community Services. Individualized support services are designed to help tenants maintain their housing, address health issues, and pursue education and employment. On-site assistance with physical and mental health issues and substance abuse is available to all tenants, six days a week. Property management services, including 24-hour security, are provided by Common Ground’s affiliated not-for-profit property management company, Common Ground Community.

Common Ground’s Tenant Services staff offers programs and activities to enhance a sense of community, e.g., a six-week financial literacy workshop, a community health fair, and workshops covering topics such as portrait drawing and cooking. Common areas include a garden roof deck (available for rent to the public); a computer laboratory; a library; an art studio; a medical clinic; 24-hour laundry facilities; a rehearsal space featuring floor-to-ceiling dance mirrors and a piano; and an exercise room.

The Top of the Times, a spacious community room on the top floor with sweeping views of the city, is used for tenant events, and provides revenue for the building through rentals to the general public.

The building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, features a double-height lobby which serves as a gallery for displaying the work of local and community artists. Rooms are fully furnished, with private baths, kitchenettes, and ceiling fans.

The Times Square has received several awards for its innovative programs and historic preservation and design, including the Rudy Bruner and Bard Awards, and has been featured in national media including The New York Times, CBS’s 60 Minutes, and National Public Radio.