Sometimes great examples of effective project design happen right in our backyard. The Norwich Grange’s kitchen renovation process offers lessons for Town officials to consider as they ponder early steps in renovating Tracy Hall. Here’s how the Norwich Community Collaborative described the process, in a recent mailing:
The Norwich Grange Kitchen committee has been working over the past year to bring the vision of the Community Kitchen to life. The committee has been working to assist with design and development and to define operations of the Community Kitchen. In the early months we sought input from a wide range of sources to educate ourselves about community kitchens. We went to visit seven different community/commercial kitchens to get input on design, functioning, policies, “must haves” and any other wisdom we could glean from those with experience running the kitchens. We had meetings with professionals from King Arthur Baking Company and the Co-op food stores, and met with the health inspector to better understand regulations and requirements that allow a kitchen to be designated commercial. All these conversations helped inform the committee to work with Studio Nexus on the design and flow of the kitchen. We are very excited about what we have planned for the space.
The Selectboard plans to discuss the renovation of Tracy Hall at an October meeting. Watch the listserv where the Selectboard posts meeting agendas, typically on Friday.
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