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Victory Mission & Ministry, led by Executive Director Jason Hynson, is cleared to rebuild its men’s shelter at 1610 N. Broadway Ave.
SBJ photo by McKenzie Robinson
Victory Mission & Ministry, led by Executive Director Jason Hynson, is cleared to rebuild its men’s shelter at 1610 N. Broadway Ave.

Victory Mission gets green light for $7M shelter project

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Springfield City Council gave approval to a rezoning request by Victory Mission & Ministry that paves the way for the nonprofit’s plan to rebuild its men’s shelter.

Council unanimously voted at last night’s meeting to rezone nearly 2 acres at 1610 N. Broadway Ave. and 1701 N. Irving Ave. to a planned development from highway commercial. The decision allows Victory Mission to redevelop its shelter, dubbed Victory Square, into a two-story, modern facility, as well as add three duplexes housing six residential units on the southern half of the property.

Victory Mission officials estimate the total project cost at $7 million, with $6.5 million devoted to the 42,600-square-foot shelter. The remaining $500,000 is for a second-phase construction of duplexes. Plans call for the existing shelter to remain in use until the new building’s completion, at which time it would be demolished to make way for additional parking.

Executive Director Jason Hynson this morning said he was “overjoyed” with council’s decision.

“This was a huge win for us,” he said. “To get that approved and have a unanimous decision, it’s really good.”

The project currently has no set start date and is expected to take a year to complete. The project architect is Dake Wells Architecture Inc., Hynson said, noting Anderson Engineering Inc. provided engineering work for the site plan. However, he added Victory Mission has yet to determine engineering firms for the project. A general contractor also has not yet been hired, Hynson said, adding the nonprofit didn’t want to move past developing a project site plan before hearing from council on the zoning request.

“Going into this process, we weren’t overconfident and weren’t underconfident,” he said. “We have to do our due diligence and let the city approve it. At this point, we’re going to regroup with our board and our development committee and see what our next steps are.”

Victory Mission officials say the current shelter operates in an outdated and obsolete former nursing home, which sits west of historic C-Street and between Commercial and Division streets. Victory Mission has used the building since 2001 as both a 50-bed overnight shelter and 110-bed transitional service shelter. Officials say there is no plan to change the intensity or scope of services provided.

Prior to the vote, councilperson Phyllis Ferguson said she has concerns about trash generated in the neighborhood near the shelter. She wants Victory Mission to consider adopting the corner of Division and Commercial streets as a trash pickup area.

“It is a gateway into the Commercial Street historic business district and would look a far sight better if we didn’t have a bunch of trash on that corner,” Ferguson said, noting her “yes” vote was made with some reservation.

Hynson said this morning he was receptive to Ferguson’s suggestion.

Council’s rezoning approval follows last month’s unanimous support by the city Planning and Zoning Commission.

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