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Committee discusses repurposing Gurnee Lane building for family housing; Joseph Warren Museum plans fall back
Summary
County staff and supervisors discussed a Human Services proposal to use a Gurnee Lane building (Building 11) as state-funded family housing for three to four families; committee members asked for capital and operating plans and noted a Human Services resolution will go to the full board.
Warren County supervisors discussed a proposal from the Department of Social Services (DSS) to use a county-owned building on Gurnee Lane (referred to in the discussion as Building 11) as family housing for homeless families, and considered the status of the Joseph Warren Museum capital project.
A committee member said DSS has a state-funded proposal that could convert the building to house “3 to 4 families” and that the funding would be primarily state-provided. Committee members said the historical society and the group originally driving a Joseph Warren Museum project had stepped away and that some memorabilia had been transferred elsewhere; one supervisor noted some donated items remain and could be displayed in a dedicated room.
Committee members emphasized procedural protections: they asked for a capital and operating plan and confirmation of funding sources and long-term viability before moving forward. One supervisor said the state program being discussed is a “100% program” and that renovation and operating funding would come from the state under that program; another supervisor asked the county to check with town planning and building-code staff and Charles Wallace to ensure any retrofit meets local code requirements. The committee noted a Human Services Committee resolution regarding this proposal will go to the full board in March.
Why it matters: repurposing underused county buildings into state-funded housing could reduce hotel placements for homeless families and use existing space; however, supervisors requested clear capital and operating budgets and assurance of long-term viability before the board commits to the conversion.
Next steps: staff said they will place the item on the Facilities Committee agenda for the next month with capital and operating details, check zoning and code implications with town staff, and coordinate with Human Services to align committee action with the pending Human Services resolution that will be presented to the full board.
