MacArthur Street Alliance: Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, St. Gregory's Conference Center, OBU

PROJECT PURPOSE

Shawnee is an Oklahoma rural community disproportionately affected by the pandemic. While rural communities comprise 34% of the State's population, they account for 40% of COVID-19 deaths. The McArthur Street Alliance members are critical to Shawnee's economic infrastructure. The proposed project will reduce the threat of COVID-19 for patrons of these cornerstone facilities by using multiple layered mitigation strategies recommended by the CDC to upgrade HVAC systems. Facilities include the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, St. Gregory's Abbey Conference Center, and Oklahoma Baptist University. Facility HVAC upgrades will improve ventilation systems, increase air filtration systems, introduce ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, increase outside air intake, and install operable windows. These activities will increase economic and community development by providing healthier indoor spaces for all.

EVIDENCE

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended multiple, layered mitigation strategies to reduce exposure to COVID-19. These strategies include improvements to building ventilation. Specifically, the CDC recommends the increased introduction of outdoor air through air intake systems and operable windows, operational air exhaust systems, increased air filtration systems and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation. The proposed projects replace current HVAC systems that do not allow for the intake of outdoor air and have very low air exchange rates. The projects would replace these outdated systems with high efficiency systems that meet the needs of mitigation and prevention of COVID-19.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Due to the lack of alternative educational opportunities and cultural experiences, the pandemic disproportionately affects rural residents, especially children and adults who face barriers imposed by poverty and unreliable transportation. Twenty-one percent of Shawnee residents live in poverty, with 81% of students economically disadvantaged. Alliance members are educational entities whose services impact the general public and students in K-12, undergraduate and graduate college, and post-graduate research. Before COVID-19, the Museum served over 30,000 individuals annually, mostly K-12 aged children. The Abbey Conference Center served nearly 1,000 people annually; OBU had a student body of 1,858. The pandemic necessitated a reduction or closure of services and a loss of educational opportunities for area residents and visitors, especially low-income children who would have benefitted from free museum programming who otherwise would not have access to quality cultural experiences. Museums enrich learning, expose students to other cultures, and provide a unique setting for educators to teach students a wide range of subjects. In addition to students, the Alliance serves businesses, community groups, and not-for-profit entities. Alliance members offer low-cost art exhibitions, musical concerts, and educational opportunities. The project will enable the Alliance to provide affordable educational and cultural services in a safe environment.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

This project will utilize formative evaluation to assess implementation and progress. Specifically, the project implementation schedule (timeline) and detailed budget will establish programmatic and fiscal project milestones. The Project Manager will track programmatic outputs on at least a weekly basis using a standardized collection tool. The OBU AVP-Finance will track expenses as incurred using generally accepted accounting principles and practices and in full compliance with federal and state requirements and laws. Senior executive staff members from each organization will monitor progress via the milestones and budget using reports aggregated monthly.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma