Center for Community Justice told to submit formal application for emergency-relief building repairs

The board asked the Center for Community Justice to submit an updated application for emergency-relief funding to address persistent building-repair needs.

Drew, a staff member, said CCJ originally applied in fall 2022 for about $35,000 to address multiple repair needs. CCJ has a donation of windows and doors and indicated donated labor costs; the transcript includes a reference to "labor is $6," which staff said they would clarify with CCJ. Board members framed the potential award as a matching grant and asked whether the work is safety-critical, whether the organization intends to sell the property, and what scope of remaining repairs would be addressed by a small award. Staff said CCJ continues to operate in the building (identified in the transcript as near 3rd Street across from a church) and that staff will ask CCJ to provide updated details and an application.

Board members said the request aligns with the association's interest in preserving downtown buildings but asked staff to ensure fairness across applicants by documenting remaining needs and making the expected post-investment conditions clear. No vote was taken; the board instructed staff to receive and review a formal application and to invite CCJ to present further details.