Grand Junction council hears divided views on Resource Center; schedules further discussion on possible short extension

Grand Junction City Council held a special workshop on March 17, 2025, to hear public comment and discuss the planned April 15 closure of the downtown Resource Center and options for an interim or replacement site. Speakers included downtown business owners who said the center has increased trespassing, drug activity and cleanup costs; service providers and people with lived experience who said closing without an alternative would harm clients; and representatives of nonprofit coalitions who asked for more time to find a new location or to shift services.

Why it matters: The Resource Center serves as a hub for meals, case management, nursing services, showers and toilets used by people experiencing homelessness and by multiple local providers. Stakeholders told council that closing the center without a ready replacement would disperse people to other public spaces, worsen public-health and safety burdens on neighboring nonprofits and businesses, and interrupt ongoing housing and health services.

Public comment: More than two dozen community members spoke during an extended public-comment period. Downtown landlords and business owners described safety problems and financial impacts. PJ McGovern, who said he manages multiple Main Street properties, told council he has paid about “$30,000 a year” for private security and weekly cleanup of needles, blankets and feces at several buildings. Jody Visconti Clow,…