Add your input to the design of the Kerman Area Multi-Generational Center!

Taller Comunitario #1 Encuesta en Línea: Para realizar la encuesta en español, haga clic aquí.

During Workshop #1, a variety of information boards were shared with the community. These boards contained information on the project's background, the project process, what makes a resilient community center and what can it offer the community.

This online survey has been created to receive additional feedback, including from persons who were unable to attend the in-person workshops.

With the feedback from the in-person workshop and this survey, a series of concept master plan options will be created for further refinement and presentation at Workshop #2.

Included in this survey: Below are images of the information boards from the in-person workshop. Please read through the information boards, answer a few questions, and make any additional comments in the comment box. Your input is crucial as it will help guide the project team in understanding community priorities.

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1. PROJECT TEAM

CITY COUNCIL
Maria Pacheco, Mayor
Gary Yep, Mayor Pro Tem District 1
Berdie Hall, District 2
Ismael Herrera, District 3
Raj Dhaliwal, District 4

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Lora Nehring, Chair
Daniel Perez
Katie Wettlaufer
Mike Teixeira
Jennifer Coleman-Antuna
Ismael Herrera, City Council Representative

CITY ADMINISTRATION
John Jansons, City Manager
Theresa Johnson, Community Services Director

CONSULTANT TEAM:
ELS ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN DESIGN
Kim-Van Truong, President/CEO
Clarence D. Mamuyac, Jr., Chairman
Dana Vollmer-Grant, Senior Associate
Angelo Razo, Associate
Diana Fierro Gonzalez, Designer

SWA LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Marco Esposito, Landscape Architect

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2. OUR COMMUNITY PROCESS

Please Join Us!
The Kerman Area Multi?Generational Resilience Center will be designed for and by the community. The success of the Resilience Center relies on your input. Public engagement is central to this effort, ensuring that the final plan aligns with the community’s priorities and vision for the future.

Please join us at our community workshop series to help shape the future of this important civic space.

COMMUNITY WORKSHOP #1
Open House & Gallery
Information Walk
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
4pm - 7pm

COMMUNITY WORKSHOP #2
Alternative Concepts
& Visioning Sessions
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
6pm - 8pm

COMMUNITY WORKSHOP #3
Preferred Concept
& Visioning Sessions
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
6pm - 8pm

Workshops will be conducted in English and Spanish

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3. PROJECT INFORMATION FAQ'S

What is the Kerman Area Multi-Generational Resilience Center?
The City of Kerman is launching a project to reimagine and enhance the Kerman Community Center as a resilience center, adding 15,400 sf of new construction to the existing center. The existing community center is in dire need of enhancement to be better prepared in the case of future natural disasters.

What is a Resilience Center?
A resilience center combines emergency preparedness with daily community programs, making it a multi-generational hub that supports both resilience during disasters, while functioning as an everyday center for wellbeing, education, and social engagement.

How much will the Kerman Area Multi-Generational Resilience Center cost and how will it be funded?
The project budget is $16.4MM.
• $7.25M coming from state funding through the CRC Program, which supports the development of neighborhood hubs in California to serve as shelters during emergencies and provide year-round community services.
• $9.15MM coming from other city sources

What is the timeline for the project?
The project is currently based on the following timeline, which is subject to adjustment as the project progresses.
• Community Engagement: Dec 2025 - Apr 2026
• Design: Apr 2026 - Dec 2026
• Permitting and Bid: Jan 2027 - Feb 2027
• Construction: Apr 2027 - July 2027
• Grand Opening: Aug 2028

Who did the City hire to design the Resilience Center?
In November 2025, the Council awarded a contract to ELS Architecture and Urban Design to lead the Kerman Area Multi-Generational Resilience Center project, which will culminate in the redesign of the current Kerman Community Center. It will reflect both the post-disaster and everyday needs of our community.

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4. CONTEXT & HISTORY

The Context of the Kerman Community Center
The Kerman Community Center is situated in a small, agriculturally rich city in California’s Central Valley. The center serves as a hub for the local community, reflecting Kerman’s strong agricultural roots, long-standing traditions, and active cultural life. Historically, the city has been shaped by its farming economy, community festivals like the Harvest Festival (established in 1906), and recreational activities, including sports, music, and outdoor excursions. The community center functions as a gathering place for social, cultural, and recreational events, supporting both everyday community life and broader civic engagement.

People and Spirit of the Kerman Area
Kerman, historically a train stop for water supplies between Fresno and Tracy, has deep roots in agriculture, with a long history of vineyards, orchards, and almond production. Since 1906, the city has celebrated its Harvest Festival, reflecting its strong community spirit. Kerman’s cultural life has been shaped by sports, music, and local gatherings, while residents have long enjoyed outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, or trips to the coast and Sierra Nevada to escape the summer heat.

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5. THE SITE

Pedestrian Access and Walkability
The area surrounding the community center offers moderate walkability, with existing streets and sidewalks providing convenient pedestrian access to nearby amenities.

Bike Access
Currently, there are no dedicated bike routes or designated bicycle parking at or around the Kerman Community Center. This presents an opportunity to enhance connectivity and encourage active transportation through future bike-friendly improvements.

Public Transportation
The Kerman Community Center is served by essential transit options, including the Fresno County Rural Transit Agency's Westside Transit route, which connects Kerman to Fresno with two round trips daily. Within the city, Dial-A-Ride offers curb-to-curb services for residents, with advanced reservations recommended. Additionally, a free shuttle to Fresno City College operates from the center for students, providing morning and afternoon trips. While these services create valuable connections, overall frequency is limited, making advance planning important for those relying on public transit.

Site Opportunities and Connections
* Proximity to Kerman Branch Library
* Adjacent United Health Medical Center
* Connection to Kerckhoff Park, including space for community events such as the Harvest Festical
* Nearby Kerman Farmers Market
* Access to open space for recreation and gatherings

Site Constraints
* Traffic along State Route 145
* Parking lot at United Health Medical Center often reaches full capacity

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6. KERMAN AREA STAKEHOLDERS

Who are stakeholders?
Stakeholders are you! They are the individuals or groups who are involved in, impacted by, or helped guide community members and users, to designers, regulators, funders, and builders.

Kerman is growing!
Kerman is a youthful, family-oriented community of about 17,500 residents, with a median age near 30—much younger than the state average. Over half the population is under 30, and nearly 27% are under 15, underscoring its strong base of young families. Seniors make up about 9%, while household sizes average 3.4 people. The greater Kerman area mirrors these trends, showing similar age distribution and a slightly higher median age.

Demographically, Kerman is predominantly Hispanic or Latino (about 82%), with smaller populations of White, Asian, and other racial groups. Roughly 27% of residents are foreign-born, primarily from Latin America. Language diversity is significant: nearly 69% of households speak a language other than English at home, with Spanish being the most common, alongside Punjabi and Hmong. This blend of youth, cultural richness, and multilingualism shapes Kerman as a vibrant, family?centered community with deep agricultural and multicultural roots.

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7. RESILIENCE CENTER

Why a Resilience Center?
Community Resilience Centers (CRCs) are critically important in California because they address multiple urgent challenges tied to climate change, public health, and social equity. Here’s why they matter.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
CRCs serve as safe, accessible spaces during
disasters such as wildfires, extreme heat, floods,
and power outages. They provide:
• Shelter and evacuation support
• Cooling and clean-air centers
• Backup power and communications
• Essential services like food, water, and medical aid
This infrastructure ensures communities can
withstand and recover from emergencies effectively.

CLIMATE RESILIENCE
California faces intensifying climate impacts- record-breaking heat waves, severe droughts, and catastrophic wildfires. CRCs help mitigate public health risks and reduce vulnerability by offering:
• Spaces for air quality protection during smoke events
• Energy resilience through solar and storage systems
• Water and sanitation facilities during outages
These centers are part of a proactive strategy to adapt to climate extremes rather than relying solely on reactive disaster relief.

SOCIAL COHESION AND EQUITY
CRCs are not just emergency shelters - they operate year-round to strengthen community ties.
They host:
• Educational and wellness programs
• Workforce development and civic engagement activities
• Cultural and recreational events
This continuous engagement builds trust and familiarity, making residents more likely t use these spaces during crises. Importantly, CRC programs prioritize under-resourced, rural, Tribal, and disadvantaged communities, addressing long-standing inequities.

MULTI-BENEFT INFRASTRUCTURE
Beyond disaster readiness, CRCs integrate green building practices, broadband access, and sustainable energy systems. They often co-locate with trusted facilities like libraries or community centers, creating hubs thats improve quality of life while reducing carbon emissions.

FUNDING AND POLICY SUPPORT
California has invested heavily in CRCs through programs like the Community Resilience Centers Program and the Climate Bond (Proposition 4), allocating tens of millions for planning, construction, and retrofits. This reflects the state's recognition that reslience requires both physical and social infrastructure.

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8. SUSTAINABILITY - LEED

Green Design - USGBC LEED
A LEED-rated project is one that has been certified under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, which is an internationally recognized green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED certification provides third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across key areas such as energy savings, water efficiency, carbon dioxide emissions reduction, and improved indoor environmental quality. LEED certification is based on a points system, and projects can earn different levels of certification based on the number of points they achieve.

THE LEVELS ARE:
• CERTIFIED: 40-49 points
• SILVER: 50-59 points
• GOLD: 60-79 points
• PLATINUM: 80+ points

Points are awarded for various sustainable practices, including site selection, water efficiency, energy use, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.

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9. SUSTAINABILITY - WELL

WELL Building StandardTM
The WELL Building Standard™ is focused on the health and wellness of people in the built environment. Through WELL-inspired design decisions, we can help create spaces that improve occupants’ fitness, mood, sleep patterns, nutrition, and performance.
• Design to enhance human health
• Strategies backed by scientific data
• Operational protocols and policies that foster health and well-being

WELL V2 10 CONCEPTS
10 concepts that include 108 features with distinct health intents.
• Air
• Water
• Nourishment
• Light
• Movement
• Thermal Comfort
• Sound
• Materials
• Mind
• Community

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10. WHAT IS A MULTI-GENERATIONAL COMMUNITY CENTER

A multi-generational community center is a shared public space intentionally designed to serve people of all ages—children, youth, adults, and older adults—by providing programs, services, and amenities that foster interaction and engagement across generations. Unlike age-segregated facilities, these centers aim to create an inclusive environment where diverse age groups can connect, learn, and support one another through recreational, educational, cultural, and social activities.

Key characteristics include:
• Age-Inclusive Design: Spaces and programs tailored to meet the needs of multiple generations, from play areas for children to fitness and wellness programs for seniors.
• Intergenerational Interaction: Opportunities for meaningful engagement, such as mentoring, shared classes, and community events that encourage collaboration between younger and older residents.
• Community Building: Strengthens social networks, reduces isolation, and promotes civic engagement by bringing together people of different ages, races, and backgrounds in one hub.

These centers often integrate flexible spaces for recreation, learning, and cultural activities, and they play a vital role in addressing demographic shifts, supporting family needs, and enhancing

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11. A POSSIBLE NEW YOUTH CENTER

A multi-generational community center typically offers a broad spectrum of programming designed to engage all age groups and foster intergenerational connections. Based on the enterprise resources and best practices, here are the main categories and examples of activities:

RECREATION & WELLNESS HUB
• Fitness & Sports: Gymnasium activities such as basketball, pickleball, indoor soccer, volleyball, and gymnastics.
• Exercise Classes: Zumba, Tai Chi, Walk with Ease, and circuit training.
• Health & Wellness: Nutrition counseling, yoga, and wellness workshops.

ARTS, CULTURE & PERFORMANCE HUB
• Performing Arts: Drama, dance, and music classes.
• Visual Arts: Arts and crafts in the park, makerspaces, and cultural art programs.

INTERGENERATIONAL ENGAGEMENT
• Mentorship & Skill Sharing: Older adults teaching traditional crafts or life skills; youth offering tech tutorials.
• Collaborative Activities: Cooking classes featuring cultural recipes, storytelling sessions, and chess clubs.
• Volunteer Programs: Community gardening, tutoring, and advocacy services.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES
• Social Services: Food banks, wellness hubs, and family advocacy programs.
• Emergency Preparedness: Cooling/ warming spaces, healthcare check?ups, and resilience planning.
• Financial Counseling: Tax preparation and home-buyer support. Some of the Kerman Community Groups today include: Kerman Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Kerman, Kerman Wellness Hub, Kerman Community Food Bank, Kerman Kannami (sister city), and Centro La Familia Advocacy Services.

SPECIAL EVENTS & CELEBRATIONS
Quinceañeras, cultural fairs, holiday gatherings, Harvest Festival

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12. ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

As we begin the community design process in Kerman, we’d like to share some architectural topics that may be important for discussion. These ideas are drawn from local priorities and best practices, but they are starting points—not assumptions. Our goal is to listen, learn, and work together to shape spaces that reflect your community’s values.

Potential Design Topics for Conversation

RESILIENCE AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
How can we create spaces that support the community during crises, such as wildfires or extreme heat? Ideas might include access to internet, laundry facilities, and safe shelter, along with planning for both short-term and long-term resilience.

MULTI-GENERATIONAL AND INCLUSIVE DESIGN
What features would make the center welcoming for all ages and abilities? Flexible spaces for recreation, learning, and cultural activities, along with ADA compliance and safe circulation, are often part of these conversations.

SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
How can the design contribute to health and sustainability? Topics could include green building practices, energy efficiency, and climate adaptation measures like solar integration and clean-air zones.

CULTURAL REPRESENTATION AND COMMUNITY IDENTITY
What elements would celebrate Kerman’s rich cultural heritage? Possibilities include architectural design, murals, gathering spaces for cultural events, and bilingual signage to foster belonging and pride.

EQUITY AND ACCESSIBILITY
How do we ensure spaces feel welcoming and accessible for everyone? This might involve shaded outdoor areas, plazas for cultural exchange, and affordable programming.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND TRANSPARENCY
We want this process to be collaborative and transparent. Workshops, surveys, and public meetings will help ensure your voices guide the design. Building trust through openness and responsiveness is a key goal for our team

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13. LANDSCAPE AND PARK DESIGN

Potential Landscape and Park Design Topics for Conversation
As we begin exploring ideas for outdoor spaces, we’d like to share some topics that could guide our discussions. These are starting points, not assumptions, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts and priorities.

CONNECTIVITY AND ACCESS
How can we create safe, inviting pathways between the community center, park, library, and medical center? This might include shaded walkways, clear wayfinding, and accessible routes for all ages and abilities.

GATHERING AND SOCIAL SPACES
What kinds of outdoor areas would encourage community interaction? Options could include plazas, picnic areas, shaded seating, and flexible spaces for events or performances.

PLAY AND RECREATION
What features would make the park enjoyable for all generations? Ideas might include playgrounds, fitness stations, open lawns for sports, and spaces for informal gatherings.

NATURE AND SUSTAINABILITY CULTURAL EXPRESSION
What opportunities exist to celebrate Kerman’s cultural heritage outdoors? This might involve art installations, murals, or spaces for cultural festivals and traditions.

COMFORT AND SAFETY
What elements would make outdoor spaces feel welcoming and secure? Lighting, shaded structures, seating, and visibility are often part of these conversations.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS
How can outdoor areas support physical and mental well-being? Possibilities include walking loops, meditation gardens, and spaces for outdoor classes or health fairs.

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14. DID WE MISS ANYTHING?
Please let us know your thoughts.

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* What activities or programs would you most like to see in the new Resilience Center?

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* During an emergency (fire, heat wave, power outage, flood), what resources would be most important for you and your household?

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* Would you like to see more indoor spaces, outdoor spaces, or a mix of both?

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* How do you typically get to the Community Center (drive, walk, bike, bus)?

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* Are there local traditions, events, or cultural practices that should be supported in the new center?

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* How do you prefer to receive updates about the project?

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* Other questions?

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* What does a “resilient” Kerman mean to you?

We appreciate you taking the time to attend Workshop #1 and/or adding your comments that contribute your insight to this exciting new project! Make sure to push the "Done" button below to submit your comments.

The City of Kerman

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