As the city moves toward establishing a shelter for homeless residents at a former jail, a local nonprofit is placing its bid to become manager of the operation.
The Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry is in the process of asking the Gainesville City Commission for the chance to operate the planned Gainesville Community Innovation and Empowerment Center.
The center will be housed at the former location of the Gainesville Correctional Institution at 2845 NE 39th Ave.
Theresa Lowe, the coalition’s executive director, said it has already established partnerships with organizations that can provide food and counseling.
“We hope to be more of a service provider and let our partners do what they do best,” Lowe said.
The city is committed to making the center a reality, said city spokesman Bob Woods. The project has a budget of about $150,000 for the first year.
He declined to comment on whether any other organizations are interested in operating the center.
Findings from the 2012 Alachua County Homeless Census showed 2,094 homeless individuals in the area.
A version of this story ran on page 5 on 9/25/2013 under the headline "Homeless shelter in works"
