When North Central State went looking for an architectural firm for their latest project, they found the perfect blend of project experience and design expertise in Harris/Day Architects, Inc.

The project incorporates the renovation of the 3rd floor of the Kehoe Center (at North Central State’s Shelby campus) into a new conference and banquet center for both college and community use. “The building program includes adding a full-service kitchen for catering outside events and creating new multi-use public spaces for seminars, banquets, wedding receptions, etc.” said Jeff Day, Harris/Day president. “In addition, we’ll be providing new lighting, a-v systems, and telecommunication capabilities to convert this facility into a premier program/event center in the Mansfield area.”

“Our experience with conference facilities at Stark State College and Walsh University, coupled with our private club banquet/event track record, provided the design background that North Central State felt they needed for this project,” says Day.

The Kehoe Center (formally an insurance corporate office building) houses a multitude of educational and training spaces for North Central State, local high school programs, and varied community uses. Its beautiful campus setting and historic Georgian architecture make it an excellent facility for its proposed and expanded use as a top-rate banquet and conference center.

The project will go out for bid in early Spring 2006, with an anticipated completion by August 2006.

Salvation Army Bells Ring With a Little H/D Help

For the second year in a row, Harris/Day employees volunteered to staff area Salvation Army red kettles during the holiday season. From 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, two H/D’ers took two-hour shifts and proudly rang the familiar bells signaling not only the holiday season, but the ever-present need of those right here in the Canton area.

Pictured at the right is H/D Project Architect, Domenic Ferrante, AIA, with his beautiful assistant elf (and daughter), Olivia. “We had a wonderful time together doing our part helping such a great organization,” said Ferrante. “The generosity of people stopping by the kettle was overwhelming,” added Ferrante.

In addition to volunteering time, H/D president, Jeff Day, announced that a corporate contribution would be made to match whatever was collected that day. “I’m pretty sure our employees helped stuff the kettles full,” said Day. In fact, a final total hasn’t been reported to Day as of yet. “It’s for a good cause, so no matter the final amount, we’ll gladly match it.”