Galesburg Council tables Rescue Mission building purchase

The Galesburg City Council on Monday night tabled the purchase of two buildings from the Galesburg Rescue Mission until they can further investigate. The vote to table was 6-1 with only Dwight White opposing. Ward 3 Council member Evan Miller says that the Rescue Mission has done a good job of managing its clients but is worried that a facility under new management that might change. Mayor Peter Schwartzman said he also walked the area as well and didn't hear those concerns although he didn't ask directly about the issue. City Manager Gerald Smith said the city had not surveyed residents around the building because they had assumed that because a homeless shelter had been present the change would have minimal concern. Ward 7 Council Member Steve Cheesman says helping the homeless is an important cause but wasn't ready to vote yes with limited information. Cheesman, Heather Acerra, and Bradley Hix all compared the purchase to buying Churchill as a Community Center or purchasing a building before having specifics sorted out. Acerra says homelessness is a complex problem that often is mixed with substance abuse and mental illness and more data is needed. Ward 2 Council member Wayne Dennis said he's concerned there will be a lot of other costs beyond just the initial cost of purchasing the buildings. Schwartzman says the city has set aside $75,000 a year for two years to operate a warming shelter, but at this time doesn't have a facility. He envisions the building that houses people currently becoming affordable rental properties. Schwartzman says the City shortly will engage in a housing study which he anticipates will show that Galesburg needs more apartments that at a "reasonable cost."

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