Broner himself is working on improving administrative services such as how to save money by reducing the power and water bills, which he said are enormous. He also finds other short cuts to saving money and is in charge of making sure grant money is spent properly.
"When I do find time to help out, I give 110 percent," Broner told APN.
Since then, an Advisory Committee has formed, which is comprised of students, lawyers, university professors, architects, developers, community members, and clients staying at the Task Force.
It is hard to demand things from people when they are generously working for free or at a discounted rate, which could lead to a delay in the completion of the coffee shop, Dykes said. Beaty is optimistic about construction remaining on schedule, however.
Ideas are also being tossed around as to how to improve the physical structure of the building in an attempt to blend the facility better with the rest of the community.
Beaty told Atlanta Progressive News all the windows will either be replaced or redesigned, awnings could be added to cover the retail areas, and an atrium could be added in the front of the building to serve as a visitor's entrance.
There is unused space on the top floor, portions of which will be turned into single occupancy rooms, the "holy grail" of Task Force housing, according to Dykes.
Other portions of the top floor will be made available to Americorps, which has partnered with the Task Force for about 12 years, for meeting and working.
Available at Blend and possibly other retail venues across the city will be herbs and vegetables grown in the planned 28,000 square foot roof garden on top of the Task Force headquarters.
Task Force residents as well as other community members participated in the design and will help construct and maintain the space. The food grown in the garden can help produce up to 500 meals a day in the new kitchen.
The garden is currently under development. Experts are currently exploring the whole idea to see how it can be done, Dykes said.
Customers from Blend can take their coffee to the roof and enjoy the view of the city and their new surroundings that will include an outdoor performance space for films, live performances, and discussions as well as a sculpture garden and a "plein air" studio space for artists.
The rooftop garden will serve several environmental purposes as well. The vegetation will provide insulation and reduce the rooftop temperature. Water that filters will be recaptured and reused throughout the building. Rainwater will be collected for irrigation. A skylight will allow natural light into the building, reducing the need for electric light.
In addition to growing flowers and vegetables, residents and community members may get a chance to attend classes in landscaping, horticulture, and carpentry, according to Beaty.
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