Board approves four youth‑center sites and moves forward with architect selection for first center

The MAPS for Citizen Advisory Board on March 6 accepted recommended site locations for four youth centers and approved moving forward with the architect selection for Phase 1.

Consultant Colin Fleck of Bacchus Payne presented the site-selection methodology: a scoring matrix that combined youth density, youth poverty, violent and juvenile crime data, school proximity, public-transit access and site characteristics such as parcel size and flood‑plain status. Fleck said the team met with school districts, public‑safety and parks stakeholders and worked with Embark on transit considerations.

The four recommended sites (ranked a through d) are: Woodson Park (recommended top site for its existing amenities, transit access and proximity to schools); a site near Southeast 60th and South Santa Fe; the existing Northeast Boys & Girls Club facility (with planned investment and a new gym funded by private funds); and Melrose Park (a high‑crime area where the consultant recommended replacing an aging community center with a new facility at the park’s back). Fleck said Embark has offered to adjust transit service where needed to ensure accessibility to the centers.

The board voted to accept the recommended sites. The board then approved an architectural services contract with Bacchus Payne to design the first youth center at Woodson Park and to proceed with Phase 1 services; the transcript records the motion passed but does not record a contract dollar amount in a clear format.

Fleck noted parks and other partners’ existing investments could reduce costs at some sites; the parks department reportedly holds roughly $500,000 in GEO bonds earmarked for Melrose Park amenities. The board directed staff to proceed with design and to return with additional details and renderings at future meetings.