Construction could begin as soon as Monday on the new Hope Station, which could mean a warmer upcoming winter for Wilson's homeless men.
Officials broke ground Tuesday for the new 6,125-square-foot building, which will be located at the corner of Goldsboro and Lee streets. It will house a homeless shelter, food pantry and clothing storage area.
Hope Station board members, contributors and others turned a few shovelfuls of dirt at Tuesday's ceremony, but the actual work crews will begin work as soon as next week, said board chairman Frank Eagles.
The construction process is expected to take about nine months.
"It has been a long time coming to get to this point for Hope Station," Eagles said during the ceremony, which was attended by about 60 people.
For more than 20 years, Hope Station has used the city's 1926 fire station as its shelter. But the minimally heated, non-air-conditioned building failed a city inspection in December 2004.
The board originally planned to renovate and repair the building, but instead it decided to build a new building. In mid-2006, the N.C. Housing Finance Agency agreed to give the agency $500,000 if it could come up with matching funds for a third of the total, or $166,666.
"We had that in 90 days," Eagles said, thanking the city, which gave a little-used parking lot and $15,000, and numerous donors for their support.
The project had to be redesigned both to meet various boards' approval and to make its budget, Eagles said. The NCHFA agreed to another $50,000 contribution.
"A concerted effort by local churches, civic groups and other community members have made it possible for Hope Station to carry out its mission," he said.
Mayor Bruce Rose paid tribute to Eagles' efforts throughout the last three years.
"This man persevered, through the ups and the downs. He was a leader and, in my mind, the most responsible for this day," Rose said.
Rose called the building site "hallowed ground."
"I feel good in my heart today ... for what Hope Station means to this community," Rose said. "Thank God for it because it clothes people, feeds them and gives them shelter."
Mary Reca Todd, manager of supportive housing for NCHFA, said the shelter is the type of project that her agency was created to support. She urged the crowd to contact local legislators and voice their appreciation for the assistance.
Hope Station signed a $650,630 construction contract March 13 with Turn-Key Contractors to build the new building.
mshaw@wilsontimes.com | 265-7878
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Want to Help?
HOPE STATION is still in need of some donated items including plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, floor coverings and landscaping services. Financial contributions are also still being accepted.
CONTRIBUTIONS MAY be sent to Hope Station, P.O. Box 2164, Wilson, NC 27894.