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City weighs relocating community services to McAllister Center; council backs further study
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Summary
A feasibility study presented two renovation concepts for the McAllister Center (former church): Concept A would collocate warming center, Community Connections and Code Compliance; Concept B would focus on Community Connections and the warming center. Preliminary renovation estimates are $3.2–$3.4 million; council asked staff to pursue stakeholder engagement and policy options before deciding.
City staff presented a feasibility study on whether to repurpose the McAllister Center building to house Community Connections, Code Compliance and permanent winter‑weather warming center operations.
Architectural and project staff described two conceptual approaches. Concept A would fit warming center operations, community services and code compliance into the existing building footprint and a multipurpose room sized for warming‑center operations; staff warned this option would be space‑constrained and limit growth or some community programs. Concept B would prioritize Community Connections and warming center functions with a slightly larger multipurpose room, more private offices and more room for staff growth; it would still not accommodate the community band or choir currently using the facility.
Staff estimated renovation costs for concepts in the $3.2–$3.4 million range and noted that combining park construction costs and building renovations could push the total McAllister initiative toward roughly $8 million. Councilors underscored policy questions: whether co‑location with warming center operations improves access to services, whether the building’s arterial location aids transit access, and what provisions should be made for arts groups now occupying the site.
Staff recommended five options for council direction: pursue Concept A; pursue Concept B; consolidate community programs at the existing Community Connections facility; explore a purpose‑built facility at McAllister; or do nothing. Council generally endorsed policy goals of co‑locating services near the warming center, improving visibility and access, and asked staff to engage stakeholders (including the community band and choir, Community Reach and other social‑service partners) before returning with a refined set of options and a proposed engagement process.
Next steps: staff will conduct additional stakeholder outreach, report back on alternative sites and options for band/choir relocation, and provide a more refined cost/priority recommendation to inform the multi‑year capital planning process.
