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Grand Junction council shortens lease, expands leased area for downtown resource center amid concerns over encampments
Summary
Council approved an amended lease for the downtown resource center at 261 Ute Ave—shortening the term to April 15, 2025, reducing the cure period to 14 days and expanding leased premises to include adjacent planting strips and sidewalks—after hours of public comment about nearby encampments and city staff assurances on enforcement and relocation planning.
The Grand Junction City Council on Dec. 4 adopted a resolution authorizing an amended and restated lease for the resource center at 261 Ute Avenue with Homeward Bound of the Grand Valley and/or the United Way of Mesa County.
Interim City Manager Andrea Phillips told council the amendment would shorten the lease expiration to April 15, 2025 (down from the previously agreed April 15, 2026), reduce the contractual cure period for operator violations from 30 days to 14 days and expand the lease premises to include the public right-of-way immediately adjacent to the site — effectively adding the planting strip and sidewalk behind the curb so the operator can have greater control of the area around the resource center tent and nearby parking.
Council members asked whether the lease could explicitly allow relocation to a new site should a suitable alternative be ready before April 2025. City Attorney John Shaver said the current draft does not expressly provide for unilateral relocation by the city but noted that the contract could be amended later and stressed that, as with most contracts, it remains terminable consistent with its provisions.
Public comment before the vote focused on the nearby encampments. Multiple residents and business owners described recent shifts of people camping from the west side of the center to the 200 block of Second Street and reported increased concentrations, fires, sanitation problems and safety concerns. Several speakers asked the council to expand shelter capacity or to move operations to a heated, walk-in facility such as the Lincoln Park Barn. One contributor urged an ordinance to prohibit encampments on sidewalks; others favored sanctioned camping sites or tiny-home villages as alternatives.
In response, staff and law enforcement described steps to address immediate safety concerns: the city has an existing no-camping ordinance but emphasized limits to citation-based enforcement without available shelter alternatives. Staff said they are increasing downtown patrols through additional overtime shifts and are exploring security and other staffing options. Phillips said staff are actively seeking alternative sites and engaging a realtor to speed that process.
Council Member Simpson moved adoption of Resolution No. 93-24; Council Member Stout seconded. The motion passed by roll call vote, 7 to 0. The amended lease will take effect as adopted; staff said the separate operating agreement that governs day-to-day operations will be revised in coordination with Homeward Bound and United Way.
Council also directed staff to continue work on identifying alternative locations and to report back on options and timing; several council members requested that any relocation plan include considerations of zoning, fire code and impacts on Parks & Recreation programming if a facility such as Lincoln Park Barn were considered for temporary daytime or overnight sheltering.
