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Volunteers and council discuss future of Clothing Closet after city building damage; city says doors will stay open while options explored
Summary
Volunteers who run the Beaver City Clothing Closet asked council members for clarity after flood and structural damage to the older portion of the city office building; staff said the building's damaged section is beyond repair but the program should continue while relocation options are explored.
Volunteers who operate the Beaver City Clothing Closet asked the council on April 14 for clarity about the program's future after flood and structural damage to the older portion of the city office building.
JC Durbridge, who said he started the Clothing Closet more than a decade ago and now operates it with volunteers, described the program's role providing clothing, beds and other items to residents, and said volunteers were concerned by social media posts and uncertainty about the building's status.
City staff responded that the oldest section of the building had extensive moisture and structural damage and is beyond repair; staff said that portion will be torn down as part of future work on the city center. Staff emphasized the city has not ordered an immediate closure of the Clothing Closet and invited the volunteer group into ongoing discussions about space and relocation.
Managers said options under discussion include temporarily using the Far West classroom space after remaining items are removed, moving some operations into other parts of the city offices, or pursuing partnership space with the county (for example, collocating with food bank operations). Staff said they will keep volunteers informed and attempt to identify temporary space so the Clothing Closet can continue serving residents without interruption.
Volunteers and council members noted the program's broad community support, the use of the closet by social services and the jail for community service placements, and the program's seasonal activities such as a Christmas shop. City staff asked volunteers to continue normal operations while staff and the council work on relocation options and a schedule for demolition and eventual rebuild.
No final site or timeline for relocation was set at the meeting; staff said they will keep the volunteer group in the planning loop and update the council once options are secured.
