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Element is partnering with the City of Brooklyn Center to guide the renovation and expansion of its Community Center, a 44,136 SF civic facility serving residents through aquatics, fitness, recreation, community meeting spaces, and offices. Since 2023, Element has helped the City evaluate development scenarios, build financial and operational models, present recommendations to City leadership, and refine the project scope as funding and priorities have evolved.
Role
Development Consulting, Feasibility Analysis, Project Management, Financial Modeling, and Public Funding Support
Opportunity & Challenges
The City received $5.1 M in State of Minnesota funding to invest in the Community Center, creating an opportunity to address aging facilities while expanding community amenities. With multiple potential approaches and significant differences in project cost, scope, and long-term operations, the City needed a clear framework for evaluating options and determining the right level of investment.
Approach
Element worked alongside City staff and the project design team to evaluate multiple development scenarios, including a large-scale 58,000 SF expansion, a smaller addition, and a targeted renovation focused on priority improvements and deferred maintenance. As the project evolved, Element supported schematic design, capital improvement planning, project estimates, operating budgets, City Council presentations, and funding strategy—including the State funding process, Predesign Checklist, and reimbursement requests. Element is now supporting the project through a refined design-build strategy, updated scope, and revised financial projections.
Results
→ Evaluated multiple renovation and expansion scenarios to inform investment decisions
→ Developed feasibility studies, project estimates, pro formas, and operating budgets
→ Supported City Council presentations and public-sector decision-making
→ Helped evaluate a potential 58,000 SF expansion and subsequent $13M revised concept
→ Supported access to $5.1M in State of Minnesota funding
→ Providing ongoing project management through design development and construction
