With nearly 95% of the work at Union Rescue Mission in Wichita complete, only a few tasks remain before we hand the space over to the owner in mid-May. This project will add dozens of new living areas and much-needed renovations for men in Wichita experiencing homelessness, addiction, poverty, or other life challenges.

The existing conditions of URM’s building led to redesigns in multiple areas. In addition to an 18,000 SF interior demolition, we worked through significant design changes and found creative solutions to keep the project moving forward. The level of teamwork between Conco and WDM has been essential in keeping this project on schedule.

While the project itself is a fairly straightforward build-out, there is a unique and innovative aspect to the design. The concept of “life changing stations” has been integrated into the floor plan, which is aimed at housing the homeless population. The design focuses on creating large, open spaces that allow for a sense of privacy and dignity while also ensuring necessary security measures are in place. This new approach to shelter design is an exciting development and one that will provide much-needed support to those in need.