The Development Review Board in Brattleboro approved Groundworks Collaborative‘s application for the use of a new location for an emergency overnight shelter, which is set to open this November. Below is an excerpt of an article from The Commons with further details on this project and what lies ahead:
Despite the warmth of this summer, the staff of Groundworks Collaborative have the cold days of winter on their minds.
In November, the organization, which serves the area’s homeless population, will open its winter emergency night shelter. Come this November, however, the emergency shelter’s traditional location, the First Baptist Church on Main Street, may not be available.
To avoid leaving an average of 25 people out in the cold Vermont winter, Groundworks has sought a new location for the emergency shelter.
At its Aug. 24 meeting, the town’s Development Review Board (DRB) approved Groundworks’ application for a change of use permit at 39 Frost St.
Conditions to the permit included no construction in the special flood hazard area, adding a bike rack, and meeting fire safety conditions such as installing a sprinkler system.
The organization plans to retrofit the former auto body shop in time for the November opening of the emergency winter overflow shelter.
According to staff at Groundworks, the Frost Street site could meet short- and long-term needs.
In the short term, the property would serve as the emergency shelter.
In the long term, it may house the emergency shelter, moving the Drop-In Center from South Main Street; hold the food shelf; and provide space for case managers and administration offices.
To continue reading the article, click here.
