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Council designates two additional temporary 'resting' sites downtown amid public concern
Summary
Grants Pass City Council voted 6–2 April 16 to add two temporary resting sites downtown — an On-Track parking expansion (about 24 spaces) and the city employee parking lot (about 50 spaces) — and to provide basic services at those locations.
Grants Pass City Council voted 6–2 April 16 to designate two additional temporary resting sites in accordance with Ordinance 24-5910: an expanded section of the On-Track (Sixth Street) parking area with approximately 24 resting spaces, and the city employee parking lot with about 50 spaces. Staff said both sites would receive basic services (restrooms, waste collection and fencing).
Aaron, a city staff member presenting the resolution, said the locations were the result of council-staff workshops and would be activated with the city’s established services and site management. “The first site is in addition to the 6 Street expanded section on the North Side... approximately 24 opportunities for people rest. The second site... is the city employee parking that’s got approximately 50 opportunities for resting,” Aaron said.
Residents and business owners who live adjacent to the proposed On-Track expansion spoke during public comment, describing safety and quality-of-life concerns. Kate Huckert, who said she lives directly across the street from the proposed expansion, told council that she and her clients have experienced drug deals, threats and drug paraphernalia near the site and asked: "Can you guarantee my safety? Can you guarantee the safety for my child?" Mike Servin, also living across the street, said the concentration of multiple sites within a block made the situation unfair to his neighborhood and urged the city to find a more appropriate permanent location.
Council discussion reflected the community’s concerns and the policing implications. Councilor Indra — representing the north end of town — said she opposed designating the two specific sites and said the policy risks concentrating impacts in one neighborhood. Councilor Rick said he was "not comfortable" with the proposed expansion and asked staff to continue evaluating alternative locations such as the SPARC building on Morgan and Washington. Councilor Victoria moved to adopt the resolution with the additional direction that staff work with neighboring businesses and residents on site mitigation; that direction was acknowledged by staff as outside the resolution text but staff agreed to engage neighbors.
Councilor Victoria moved to adopt the resolution; the motion carried 6–2 (Indra and Rick voted no). Staff said the sites would be activated with the usual service package and that additional outreach to neighbors would follow.
What this means: The two additional temporary resting locations will become authorized under the city’s ordinance and receive city-managed services. Councilors and members of the public said they expect the sites to be closely monitored and that staff work with neighbors on mitigation measures. The action is framed by state court rulings and prior workshops; staff said no permanent site decision was made at this meeting.
