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Council debates use of 696 Main St.; approves one-time special use and directs staff to find alternate community-closet location
Summary
Council discussed converting space at 696 Main Street for a community closet operated by the city; council later approved a short-term special use for a county commissioner meeting and directed staff to identify an alternate, more suitable location (including exploring container-based options) for the community closet.
Forest Park council members discussed the future use of city-owned space at 696 Main Street on Feb. 17 after Councilwoman Akins Wells proposed relocating the newly opened "community closet" from limited space in the council building to a more welcoming, permanent location.
Councilwoman Wells told the council she wanted "a welcoming space for the residents coming in to visit the community closet" and noted the current closet near council chambers had already outgrown its space ahead of its grand opening.
Council concerns and staff response: Council members raised access and security concerns: Councilman Gutierrez noted some potential accessibility issues because the 696 Main Street rooms are on the second floor and asked about previous equipment theft at the facility. Staff said the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the city's PIO have used portions of the building for photography and studio purposes, and some equipment had been stolen previously.
Two formal outcomes at the meeting: 1) The council voted to allow a one-time special use of 696 Main Street by Clayton County District 1 Commissioner Elena Reeves for a community meeting (planned for March 13) so that constituents in portions of the commissioner's district that lie in Forest Park can attend at no charge. That motion passed with affirmative votes from the council. 2) Separately, the council approved a motion to direct staff to find an alternate, more suitable, and permanent location for the community closet and to explore options including containerized (Connex-style) units or other sites. That motion passed after discussion and direction to evaluate costs and locations; the mayor cast a tie-breaking vote in favor when necessary.
Why it matters: Council members said the goal is to balance use of city property for community benefit while addressing accessibility, security and long-term program needs. Several council members suggested collaborating with churches and other local providers already running similar programs; others urged the city to identify a permanent, accessible location.
Next steps: Staff was directed to survey available city- and DDA-owned properties, produce cost estimates for a containerized option, and return to the council with recommendations and tentative budgets.
Ending: For near-term events such as Commissioner Reeves' meeting, staff will allow targeted use at 696 Main Street; for the long-term community closet the council asked staff to pursue alternative facilities and report back.
