Galesburg City Council on Monday could approve buying the current home of the Galesburg Rescue Mission to provide a permanent warming shelter and possible homeless shelter.
The purchase would be for $350,000 for the two properties at 435 E. Third St.
Rescue Mission Director Darrell Grimm tells WGIL the Rescue Mission has been looking to sell the property with their pending move to the former Nielson school building.
Grimm says they hope to be fully moved into 547 N. Farnham St. by July.
For the past two years, the city has had a warming shelter in the winter months first at Hawthorne Gym and then at Moon Towers, with plans to move into the Salvation Army building.
Mayor Peter Schwartzman says that Salvation Army has struggled in obtaining funds to bring their facility up to code.
Schwartzman says the Rescue Mission building allows the city to acquire a newer building that can be prepped to serve as a warming shelter.
There are two properties being purchased but which will be used for what remains to be seen.
He says which one will be used as a warming shelter will depend on how partnerships with community agencies develop and what additional resources can be brought.
The city is purchasing the buildings with money from the economic development fund.
Schwartzman says these were funds that were available and believes the cost is “very affordable.”
The Mayor cites one of the city’s strategic goals to eliminate homelessness in Galesburg by 2027.
Three new members will join the City Council in May but Schwartzman doesn’t believe there will be a lack of support for this initiative.
He says the current council unanimously decided to negotiate a deal with the Rescue Mission and the “challenges associated with homelessness and the need for a reliable warming shelter in Galesburg has never been a controversial issue.”
