Grants Pass council approves expansion of downtown resting sites, adds 50‑space employee parking site

The Grants Pass City Council voted 6-1 to maintain two existing downtown resting sites on Sixth and Seventh streets, establish a 50‑space site in the city hall employee parking lot and allow for future expansion into the adjacent OnTrack parking area when that space becomes fully available.

City staff presented an inventory of existing and potential locations during the meeting, estimating roughly 288 possible resting sites across several city‑owned lots if the council designated them. Staff said the list was intended to help the council meet a temporary injunction referenced in the meeting that requires roughly a 150‑site capacity for unmanaged resting locations. Aaron (staff presenter) summarized the sites and conservative capacity estimates at the start of the briefing.

The council’s action came after extended discussion about site size, public‑safety risk, ADA compliance and the administrative work needed to prepare gravel or dirt lots for use. Councilor Joel moved the measure, saying, “I make a motion that we maintain the Seventh And Sixth Street ones that presently…