The proposed Lathon Wider Community Center will create a vibrant hub for the South End community. The Center’s historic presence along Henry Street will be maintained while adding a new building and parking entrance at Woodland Avenue. A covered central courtyard area will provide a secure outdoor space for community engagement. The courtyard can serve multiple functions from a quiet place for weekday lunches to a venue for large scale events like outdoor concerts, green markets, and food bank distribution.

Phased construction is anticipated to facilitate partial use of the facility during construction. Existing utility and boiler rooms will be maintained below the new raised central courtyard area. This will allow for building services to remain operational throughout construction while services are converted to all electrical systems to eliminate the use of fossil fuels.

The plan improves the site’s ability to manage stormwater runoff from future increased rainfall events. An existing asphalt parking lot will be replaced with an elevated, permeable surface with planted areas. In addition, new structures will utilize a combination of “green” and “blue” roofs. Other sustainable features include high efficiency windows and HVAC equipment, and daylighting controls.

An open timber canopy above the central courtyard area serves the functional purpose of providing weather protection, shade, and will help to reduce overall solar heat gain and heat island effect. The canopy is also a symbolic gesture: a uniquely identifiable element from multiple vantage points throughout the South End that ties together the community center’s diverse range of services and users