“We are moving forward with the original plan but actively looking at other sites just to see if they are workable or can accommodate needs,” Holman said . “The board has not ruled out looking at other places.”
The $2.8 million expansion plan has sparked controversy with the proposal to build on property to the east of the existing Franklin House on East Franklin Street where the 1830s former Trinity Episcopal Church now sits. The shelter would have to obtain a demolition permit from the city to remove the church.
A group of local historical organizations has formed the Unity for Trinity Committee to work to save the church. The group says the church is a community asset and historically important as the only structure left in town with noteworthy ties to the canal era as the site of an 1837 canal dedication speech by future president William Henry Harrison and with ties to the area’s Underground Railroad system.
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Shelter leaders said in late February they had expert opinions in hand that the building was deteriorated and not of historical significance and would be moving forward with the expansion project including fundraising.
The Unity for Trinity Committee claimed the shelter didn’t give careful consideration to alternatives, and urged the shelter to collaborate with others and reach a solution. The committee argues the building could be repaired and proposed the shelter do so and use it for other purposes.
Holman said the estimate received to make the church structurally sound, including its stained-glass windows, was $300,000 but the work would not make it suitable for shelter needs. Plans include using some of the windows in a new structure and recognizing the site’s history.
Representatives of both groups subsequently met to talk in late February and the committee was notified of the shelter’s review of alternatives.
Holman said, while looking at alternatives, the board remains “comfortable” with its plan to expand to the adjacent property to fill its need to provide more beds for its growing number of women and children victims of domestic violence and homelessness.
“We are pleased that the abuse shelter is looking at other options for their expansion project,” said Judy Deeter of the Unity for Trinity Committee.
The Unity for Trinity Committee has discussed what might happen to the church if the shelter would expand to another location, Deeter said. “We do not wish to make a public statement about that subject at this time,” she said.
The committee has been promoting a petition against the church removal and has placed posters in downtown building windows urging people to both support saving the church and the shelter’s expansion efforts.
The nonprofit Family Abuse Shelter opened in the Franklin Street building in 1979. It has capacity for 22 women and children. The expansion would add 12 beds and the new building would house those who come to the shelter because of domestic violence as well as older/handicapped clients, providing more privacy than now can be offered.
The shelter offered to give the church to the committee, if it would move it. The committee said moving the church would be difficult, and it would need a place to put it.
Contact this contributing writer at nancykburr@aol.com
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