By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — City Council members will consider giving land for a new homeless shelter and soup kitchen when they meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall, 217 S. Main St.
Shelter Ministries, the nonprofit organization that owns the buildings operated by Rowan Helping Ministries, will request the donation of city-owned property in the 200 block of North Long Street, across from the original, overcrowded shelter.
Shelter Ministries hopes to purchase additional privately-owned property in the same block to develop a transitional housing program for families.
The project includes construction of a 20,000-square-foot shelter and soup kitchen, which will feature solar panels and energy-saving design, and renovation of the existing shelter. Nearly all of the $5.5 million needed for the capital campaign already has been raised.
Also on Tuesday’s agenda:
• Council will hold a public hearing regarding the use of 2012-2013 Community Development
Block Grant and HOME funds.
• Council will consider Land Development Ordinance text amendments regarding gas stations, site triangles at intersections and the Technical Review Committee.
• Council will consider applying for funding from the Cabarrus Rowan Metropolitan Planning Organization for a traffic study of East Innes Street and North and South Long Streets.
• Public comments
• Interim city manager’s comments
• Closed session for a personnel matter.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.