During its Tuesday meeting, Norman City Council discussed the cost and safety of potential renovations to the city’s emergency shelter on Gray Street following its temporary closure.
Shelter operations would move into the former Couch Communications building next door, which the city owns, with the existing shelter space being used mainly for storage and offices until a permanent shelter is built. The existing space holds 52 beds. Operations in the former Couch Communications building would include 55 beds.
The plan would allow the shelter to keep operating during design and construction, with the move to the former Couch Communications building happening once the space is ready.
“The beautiful part about this plan is that we do not affect their current situations,” Jason Olsen, director of parks and recreation, said in regard to those experiencing homelessness.
The renovation plan is a direct response to the shelter’s temporary closure in early June due to code issues discovered by the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal’s office. Once the building reopened several days later, staff began outlining the work needed to keep the space compliant going forward, according to Lance Harper, the city's facilities and construction manager.
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The city has until July 15 to submit architectural plans for the move to the fire marshal’s office, and until Aug. 15 to submit sprinkler and fire alarm plans, according to city staff.
Harper and Olsen estimated the project would cost no more than $213,780, a figure that includes a $175,000 construction estimate and $38,780 in architectural fees.
Staff said they expect the actual construction cost to be closer to $160,000, describing the additional $15,000 as a management reserve. According to Harper, the city can complete much of the work in-house, including lighting changes, bathroom access improvements and HVAC adjustments.
Olsen said the former Couch Communications building could be ready for shelter operations in three to four months, while a permanent shelter will be completed in 18 to 24 months due to delays tied to pending litigation.
Following voters’ approval of a bond to fund a permanent homeless shelter, a lawsuit was filed challenging the constitutionality of the vote, but it was later dismissed by a district judge. Plaintiffs then filed an appeal with the Oklahoma Supreme Court, where the case currently sits.
“If (the bond is overturned), then we would be left with (the Gray Street shelter) if no other alternatives, but that’s why we do need to continue reporting other alternatives. And I guess if it’s the Supreme Court, then there is no appeal after that,” Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman said.
Council will revisit the topic after new members are sworn in July 7, though council members did not give a date for a future discussion.
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This story was edited by Reagan Rozzi and Audrey McClour.
