For decades, Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK) has provided food, support services and pathways toward stability for people experiencing homelessness and poverty in New Haven. Its renovated three-story home at 266 State Street brings essential services together under one roof, including food services, medical support, case management, showers and laundry facilities.
What challenges did STV address?
Creating a centralized service hub required balancing operational, financial and stakeholder priorities. The project needed to accommodate multiple service functions while addressing historic preservation considerations, healthcare-specific requirements and the needs of a vulnerable population. Its approximately $4.2 million funding structure also combined federal, state, local and private sources, each with reporting, reimbursement and compliance requirements.
What solutions did STV deliver?
STV served as DESK’s owner-side delivery partner, providing owner’s project management services from preconstruction through occupancy. STV managed project accounting, budgeting, grant administration, reimbursement documentation, payment reviews and reporting while supporting stakeholder coordination, construction oversight, change management, closeout and occupancy planning.
How does this project benefit the community?
DESK’s Drop-in and Resource Center brings meals and other basic needs, healthcare, counseling, case management and hygiene facilities together in one location. The centralized model improves access and coordination for guests while strengthening DESK’s ability to deliver essential services over the long term.
Key stats and accolades
- Three-story Drop-in and Resource Center at 266 State Street
- 2026 Connecticut Building Congress Project Team Awards: First Place, Small Civic, Project Team of the Year
- AIA Connecticut Community Impact Award
