Dickinson commissioners deny United Way plan for Evergreen supportive-care center after lengthy public hearing

Dickinson, N.D. — The Dickinson City Commission on Sept. 16 denied a special-use permit request from United Way Dickinson to convert the former Evergreen Building into a combined low-barrier emergency shelter, treatment center and supportive/transitional housing facility, rejecting the proposal by a 3-2 vote. The motion to approve was made by Commissioner Riddle and seconded by Commissioner Murphy; Commissioners Riddle and Murphy voted aye, Commissioners Frederick and Bair voted no, and Chair Scott Decker cast the deciding no vote.

The proposal would have used three floors: a 13-room low-barrier emergency shelter on the first floor, an inpatient/outpatient treatment center on the second floor run by Southwest Multicounty Corrections Center (SWMCCC), and 30 supportive/transitional housing units on the third floor. United Way Executive Director Dakota Gant told commissioners, “This project is not simply a homeless shelter,” and that the facility is intended to "meet people where they are, stabilize them, and guide them into long term success.” He added, “Low barrier does not mean unsafe," and said the facility would exclude "high risk *** offenders or high risk violent offenders. That policy is non negotiable."

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