On Feb. 10, community leaders gathered in Dallas to break ground on a facility that gives local men and women a new chance in life. For 48 years, Dallas 24 Hour Club has provided safe, sober transitional living for homeless men and women seeking a brand new life away from drugs and alcohol. But while the 24 Hour Club was bringing a new life to others, its own building was in need of a new life itself.

The organization’s facility was in an ideal location near public transportation and job opportunities for its residents, but was over 100 years old and in grave physical condition. It became clear that the time was right for a new building. KDC, a commercial real estate firm, stepped up to the plate to help the 24 Hour Club realize its vision, and enlisted the help of TDIndustries, a member of multiple AGC chapters, HKS Architects, Austin Commercial, Beck, Balfour Beatty, and others to construct the  14,000-sq-ft building.

"We’ve worked with KDC on earlier projects, so we were able to hit the ground running in preconstruction," says J.D. Bennett, preconstruction manager of special projects. "This facility will be a complete change for the 24 Hour Club, giving the residents and staff a clean, safe, modern building to live and work in."

Residents of Dallas 24 Hour Club who enter with no funds are extended credit for their room and board until they get back on their feet financially. The daily rates for the first phase of the program are $9 and include three meals a day, as well as free clothing, toiletries, linens, and medical care. The men and women at the 24 Hour Club follow the house rules, perform chores, work a strong recovery program and are supported in their efforts to get a job and manage their money. In addition, the Club welcomes hundreds of people in the community through its four daily Recovery meetings.

"Dallas 24 Hour Club was just one repair away from having to close our doors and send our 67 residents back to the streets," says Marsha Williamson, executive director of Dallas 24 Hour Club. "The building was just not sustainable. A new facility will allow our residents to live much more comfortably while they build a brand new life based on sobriety and responsibility."

TD has been heavily involved in preconstruction efforts assisting with engineering and planning for the HVAC and commercial refrigeration systems. In all, TD will be contributing approximately $200,000 in labor and materials. TD vendors including Texas Air Systems, Trane, Alltex Pipe & Supply, and Sharp Insulation will be contributing approximately $180,000 of labor, materials and equipment to the project. 

"We’re honored that KDC asked us to join the project team for the 24 Hour Club," says Harold MacDowell, CEO of TDIndustries. "At TD we believe in giving back to our community, and this project is a great way to positively improve lives and help create productive citizens for Dallas."