Church withdraws from planned warming shelter; council seeks emergency options after resident’s death

Pontiac’s effort to establish a downtown overnight warming center suffered a setback Dec. 17 when the planned church operator announced it would not proceed and its executive director resigned, administration and council members said.

Council members had asked the city’s planning attorney from the Kelly firm for a second opinion about zoning and use permits; the firm reported that a permanent downtown shelter would require a Board of Zoning Appeals use variance, while temporary use permits might enable short‑term warming centers in other zones such as the Baldwin Center or at the Dream Center (which is zoned to allow sheltering). Baldwin Center staff told the county they were willing to consider hosting a center if the space did not require major renovations.

Council members expressed urgency after a resident was found dead and hypothermia was listed as a contributing factor. Councilman Mevily Rutherford said she received a text informing her of the shelter partner’s withdrawal and called for immediate city leadership to locate alternatives and to reallocate awarded funds if necessary.

Mayor Grama and staff said the administration was pursuing alternate locations and noted a temporary extension of Bowen Senior Center hours (8 a.m.–8 p.m.) had been used while staff evaluated legal options. Council members pressed for a comprehensive overnight plan that covers severe‑weather hours outside the Bowen schedule.

Several councilmembers and residents called for no status checks at the door and urged that centers be available to anyone in severe need, regardless of formal housing status. Members asked the administration to present a detailed plan and to notify council of reallocation or use of previously appropriated funds for shelters and eviction prevention at the Jan. 7 meeting.