The town-owned building leased by a local nonprofit for a warming/cooling station is tentatively planned to open this fall.
The building, located at 381 East Main St., is a partnership between the nonprofit No Wrong Door and the Town of Franklin. The town is leasing the property to No Wrong Door for $1 a year. The town also designated $10,000 to No Wrong Door to help with building renovations.
During the August Behavioral Health Task Force meeting, Ronnie Beale said if the contractor could “get on the ball,” the work would be done soon.
“If not September, we’ll definitely be open in October,” Beale said.
The station will be open three days a week to start. Beale said the station will be open during the daytime and will only be open overnight if there’s a state of emergency.
“It’ll take a little while to get everything set up and ready to go,” Beale said.
The station will include a washer/dryer, a shower, and available clothes. Donations are being accepted as Beale said No Wrong Door will need an extra $10,000 to fix up the building.
“Hopefully we’ll get some of these folks in…and get them some treatment,” Beale said.
No Wrong Door Executive Director Sheila Jenkins said they are currently serving 507 people with eight staff members.
Jenkins said they are awaiting word on a grant that would designate a staff member specifically for the unhoused population.
Franklin Police Chief Devin Holland said he initially had mixed emotions about the station due to its downtown location and attracting “the bad elements.”
“But I think No Wrong Door is gonna manage it well and staff it well, and we’ll be right there helping them to monitor it, keep it safe for the people using it and for the businesses around it,” Holland said, adding that it’ll be a good thing for people to dress up, wash up and go get a job.
Holland said he’s heard community complaints about its location but feels this population needs the help.
In other notes from the Behavioral Health Task Force’s Aug. 17 meeting, Pastor Ben Whidle of Discover Church talked about a 900-square-foot temporary house on the property.
“We want to put a dent in the housing crisis,” Whidle said.
The building looks like a storage shed on the outside, Beale said. The plan would be to get grant funding from Dogwood Trust to make a two-bedroom, one-bath space for $120,000 to $130,000.
Beale said this is still in the discussion phase, and more details are to come.