Shelter Ministries to request land donation

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.