1. Why do you need more space?

For the past 27 years, we have provided our services out of an approximately 3,500 sq. ft. building at 84 Bedford Road, Katonah.  Over this time the number of our neighbors served by the Center, and the breadth of the services provided has grown significantly in our mission to help our clients stabilize their lives and achieve self-sufficiency.

Our challenges:

• Programs are hampered by the shortcomings of our existing facility
• Food pantry aisles are narrow and difficult to navigate
• Donation room is very small and limits our capacity for accepting and sorting donations
• Inadequate space to store and manage clothing donations
• Congested waiting area for clients with limited seating
• Inadequate space for privacy as we offer our services
• Much of the existing building is not handicap accessible
• Insufficient space for food storage especially for fresh produce and other perishables
• Limited space for items received during seasonal drives so they must be stored and organized in hallways and staff offices
• Insufficient parking
• Poorly configured driveway and parking lot, especially when large deliveries are being made

Since the onset of the pandemic, the lack of space in the building has forced CCNW to improvise by creating usable space outdoors with “pop-up” tents.  Such tents have been placed in existing parking spaces behind the building and used for such purposes as protecting food deliveries and the volunteers who unpack and store them from the elements, protecting clients who must wait outside for their turns to obtain services, and distributing school supplies and warm sleepwear or blankets, among other purposes. 

Amazingly, CCNW has managed to operate in the cramped space for years, making do with what it has, despite the severe limitations!

2. Why stay in this location?

Having explored other location options, it became evident that our current location is best suited for a variety of reasons.

Our current building, the old "King House," was lovingly restored and repurposed by local volunteers in 1996 and the community’s engagement and “ownership” of CCNW continues to support and sustain us today. The Center’s current location also provides ease of access for our clients by bus, train, or car and is a convenient location for our volunteers and donors.

We are very grateful to the Town of Bedford which worked to acquire the property throughout several administrations and has agreed to lease it to CCNW on a long-term basis, in exchange for the Center maintaining and caring for the property, building, and community. The project is also made possible with our connection to the new sewer district.

3. Will you be serving more people?

CCNW does not anticipate a material change in the number of clients as a result of the addition.  It will continue to offer the same wrap-around services that are currently provided to clients to help them regain self-sufficiency.  CCNW’s hours of operation are not being extended nor will there be any change in eligibility criteria for its programs or an increase in the geographic area that CCNW serves. The difference will be that CCNW’s services will be provided in appropriately sized indoor spaces instead of cramped offices and hallways or outdoors in pop-up tents and sheds.

Our hope is to see a decrease in the number of people needing to turn to us for support as this would demonstrate greater economic stability and well-being of all in our community. However, as a result of the pandemic we have learned that we need to be prepared to manage increased demands during a crisis, which the project enables us to do.

4. What about parking?

Parking will be addressed by increasing the number of on-site parking spaces, including handicapped parking, and configuring the driveway for safe entrance and exit. The plans for a one-way driveway will dramatically improve flow and ease of access for all; clients, volunteers, staff, and donors.

5. What about energy efficiency?

We also desire to upgrade the building to be more energy efficient and incorporate more sustainable practices and features in the physical plant and site. 

To this end, the new building with its robust building envelope will be super insulated. We will utilize long-lifecycle materials, high-efficiency heating, energy-recovery ventilation, low-water fixtures, energy-efficient lighting, and improve our stormwater management. The orientation and tree cover unfortunately do not favor the use of photovoltaic solar panels but other measures to promote climate sensitivity will continue to be evaluated. 

6. What is the timing of the project?

Work on the concept plans has been completed. Architectural and engineering plans are in design, the site planning application and approvals process has been commenced and fundraising is ongoing. Based on the support we have received to date, we hope to be able to put a shovel in the ground shortly after the approval process is complete and a construction team is selected.

7. Will you continue to operate during construction?

Yes, to minimize interruption in providing the services our neighbors rely on, our current plan is to continue our operations onsite during construction. We will be operating out of our existing building while the site improvements are made and new addition is constructed, and with thoughtful and phased staging we will modify operations while the two are being connected and the existing building renovated and repurposed.

we couldn't be more excited!

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