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City updates commissioners on new drop-in day center and Dining with Dignity site on South Dixie Highway
Summary
City staff presented progress photos and a phased construction plan for a new drop-in day center and Dining with Dignity operations at 90–92 South Dixie Highway, including ADA bathrooms, showers, laundry, and plans for sidewalks to tie into a broader sidewalk program.
Barry Fox, the city’s code enforcement and vacation rental manager, updated the commission on construction of a new drop-in day center and a planned relocation of the Dining with Dignity feeding program to 90–92 South Dixie Highway.
Fox showed elevations and floor plans, describing a roughly 1,500-square-foot primary pavilion with open-bay areas (approximately 10-by-30 feet) for dining service, two ADA-compliant restrooms, two washers and dryers for laundry service, two ADA showers and a staff restroom. The project is being built on piers to preserve the tree canopy and staff said the city will run power lines underground to avoid damaging roots.
Fox described work in phases: Phase 1A will bring the structure and electricity online so Dining with Dignity can relocate and staff can work out operational issues. Later phases include installing showers and laundry, adding mail services, and finalizing fencing and access. He said the front half of the property remains parking lot and will not be fenced.
Commissioners asked several operational questions. Commissioner Garris asked whether there would be exterior seating; Fox said there will be exterior picnic tables but most seating will be under the pavilion. Commissioner Blonder and others raised safety concerns for users traveling to the site because sidewalks along South Dixie are not complete. Public Works Director Stephen Slaughter said a sidewalk project for South Dixie is currently under design and scheduled for this fiscal year; Fox said the site plan includes an on-property sidewalk that will tie into the city sidewalk when it is installed.
Fox also said staff will work with the Continuum of Care and local service providers to ensure the facility is staffed by social-service organizations and can route clients to housing and stabilization services. He outlined that power and civil infrastructure work and procurement of materials has caused some schedule adjustments but that building walls and pillars were in place and progress photos showed footers, plumbing and slabs complete.
The commission voiced support and requested that staff return with a specific date for sidewalk work and additional details on ways to safely transport clients to the site. Commissioners directed staff to bring the sidewalk schedule back to the next meeting and to coordinate with public-works for pedestrian access and any available transportation options.
