Drumming Up Office Space

“They had received $500,000 for their renovations from local politicians, but they needed a larger budget for what they envisioned,” Hollant-Denis recounts. To bridge the financial gap, the organization hired a construction management company, GEDEON GRC, which then helped them apply for funds from the Economic Development Corporation. “And that’s how they finally got the $2 million needed for the project.”

Although renovation won’t be completed until Spring 2013, Hollant-Denis assures it will be worth the wait. The storefronts will be transformed into a state-of-the-art, modern office with 20 workstations and a large conference room for telecommunication and video conferencing. The new building’s elevation, which features a glass Haitian “Tambou” — a drum — has a double meaning for Hollant-Denis.

“The drum is always a big part of communication for all people, and particularly for Haitians, the Tambou was a means of communication to help people escape slavery,” she says, explaining that the new HAUP building will be key for communication in the community as well. The facility will also be Hollant-Denis’ tribute.

“My dad passed away seven years ago,” Hollant-Denis explains. “The finished building will pay homage to my dad’s life’s work. I dedicate the entire design to him.”