Clarksville hits pause on plan to purchase 'The Well'

Описание: Plans to use The Well building in downtown Clarksville as an emergency shelter are now on hold.

Over the past year, the City of Clarksville, through its Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, has worked with Urban Ministries to expand homeless services, fill case management gaps, and establish a permanent emergency shelter location.

City leaders had been considering purchasing The Well using grant funding. However, the proposed location sparked significant opposition from nearby residents and business owners.

Ward 6 Councilperson Wanda Smith said she’s pleased Urban Ministries decided to reconsider the location.

“I'm just happy to hear that Urban Ministries has heard the cries of the people and the business owners, and they are going to partner with someone else for a new location,” Smith said.

Smith emphasized that while her ward continues to offer opportunities for people to receive help, she believes a 24/7 shelter should be located in an area better suited to handle higher capacity — possibly near one of the city’s exits.

Although the city plans to formally approve an indefinite pause on the project, officials say The Well is not entirely off the table.

Michelle Austin, Director of Neighborhood and Community Services, said the city is awaiting the results of a local study to determine the specific needs in Clarksville and identify the most appropriate locations for services.

“We are awaiting a local study into what is exactly needed here in Clarksville, and then where are the best locations for the services that we're wanting to provide through Urban Ministries,” Austin said.

Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts said he respects Urban Ministries’ decision to pause the project but reiterated that the city remains committed to addressing the growing need for services for people experiencing homelessness.

Austin did not provide a timeline for when the study will be complete. The issue is expected to return to the Clarksville City Council agenda in March, when leaders are anticipated to formally postpone the project.

https://fox17.com/news/local/clarksvi...
_______________
Follow! Like! Share! Subscribe!

WZTV on Facebook:   / foxnashville  
WZTV on X:   / foxnashville  

https://fox17.com

Email us: [email protected]
Call the Newsroom: 615.369.1717

Fox 17 provides local news, weather, sports, traffic and entertainment for Nashville and nearby towns and communities in Middle Tennessee, including Forest Hills, Brentwood, Franklin, Fairview, Dickson, Clarksville, White House, Greenbrier, Springfield, Gallatin, Hartsville, Lebanon, Mt Juliet, Smyrna, College Grove, Thompson’s Station, Centerville, Murfreesboro, Columbia, Lewisburg, Shelbyville, Manchester, McMinnville, Smithville, Sparta, Cookeville, Hohenwald, Waverly, Camden, Paris, Lafayette, Portland, and in Kentucky, Russelville, Bowling Green, Franklin, Alvaton, Scottsville, Hopkinsville, Glasgow.

#WZTV #fox17news #foxnashville #nashville #tennessee #tn #middletn #localnews #breakingnews #trending #clarksvilletn #clarksville #homeless