The century-old
Merrick Community Services, which provides support services for youth, families and seniors, is preparing to relocate to a building on Railroad Island in St. Paul.
The four-acre parcel that the J.H. Larson Electrical Company previously occupied includes a warehouse and office space.
It allows for Merrick to triple its square footage and quadruple its footprint, according to Dan Rodriguez, who heads Merrick. "It's a shell of a building that allows us to do a lot of work. It makes sense for our purposes," he says.
The $9 million project has been in the works for some time, as Merrick has outgrown the 50-year-old existing building on the city's East Side, which is "in dire need of being replaced," he says.
It would cost too much to rehab it, adds Rodriguez.
The new digs will include a computer lab, flexible meeting space for large and small gatherings, and a gym with a stage. There'll also be areas specifically geared to youth, seniors, and other community members.
Merrick will continue to offer after-school programs, the country's largest Meals on Wheels program, and a food shelf, while a community garden could come later. There's also space in the building for another organization to be a tenant.
A three-year capital campaign will raise funds for the project.
The expansion is happening at a time when "The services we provide are more relevant than ever," Rodriguez says.
All in all, "We're trying to meet the needs of our participants and clients into the 21st century," he says.
"We think it's a win-win for everyone," including those that the organization serves and the East Side in general, he says. "We represent a commitment to the area and region. We're investing in staying here."
Source: Dan Rodriguez, executive director, Merrick Community Services
Writer: Anna Pratt