Project Overview
BKBM provided structural engineering services for Downtown View, a transformative housing and support facility in Minneapolis dedicated to assisting young people experiencing homelessness as they transition into adulthood. The project involved innovative design and expansion of the existing facility to better serve vulnerable youth.
Project Highlights
- Integrated Facility Expansion:
- Developed creative structural solutions to create large new openings in existing exterior walls, preserving half of the original structure while adding five new stories above.
- Expansion added 46 new dorm-style housing units, enabling YouthLink/PPL to offer safe, stable living for young adults in need.
- Cohesive & Cost-Effective Design:
- Coordinated offset window openings and seamless connectivity between new and existing materials for a unified, modern appearance.
- Value-engineered expansion and renovation to maintain project budget and maximize usable space.
- Supportive Service Integration:
- New location includes enhanced spaces for career, education, and mental health services, all under one roof to provide holistic support for youth.
- Site Management & Community Impact:
- Construction phasing and site management planned to minimize disruption to ongoing service provider work and ensure continuous youth support throughout the project.
Engineering Solutions
BKBM engineered robust, flexible systems to accommodate significant vertical and lateral loads for the new five-story addition while preserving existing building integrity. Strategic planning minimized costs and maximized functional improvements, all while maintaining safety and comfort for residents and staff.
Results & Impact
Downtown View is now a vital resource for Minneapolis youth, offering stability, opportunity, and support. BKBM’s structural engineering enabled a successful, sensitive expansion that enhances both the built environment and the lives of young people transitioning to independence.
1967
15,000+
23
Minneapolis & Denver