BECKLEY, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – After more than 80 years in their current building on South Fayette Street, Beckley’s Salvation Army is looking to relocate and is seeking funding from multiple entities, including the City of Beckley.
Major Ronald Mott presented his organization’s plan to the Beckley Common Council during Tuesday night’s regular meeting.
Major Mott explained that their current building on South Fayette Street is in a state of disrepair. The building, which has housed Beckley’s Salvation Army since 1934, is facing major flooding problems and, currently, only one of three floors is able to be utilized.
The building has been renovated and repaired over the years, but the issues are now too large to patch.
According to Major Mott, Beckley’s new Salvation Army will be located on the Robert C Byrd Drive lot where the old John Eye building once stood.
The $4 million, one-level building will be multi-faceted, featuring a gymnasium, cafeteria, chapel, soup kitchen, and warming shelter for the homeless.
The gymnasium will be accessible to underprivileged youth, as well as citizens who wish to participate in volleyball and basketball games.
“I think we will be able to help the community a lot more,” Mayor Mott said of the project. “We will be in a neighborhood where we can help the people around that neighborhood. There are just a whole lot more possibilities that we can do in the community that we can’t in the building we are in now.”
Salvation Army hopes to break ground in the fall but is still seeking more than half of the project’s necessary funding, according to Major Mott.
The organization plans to kick off a fundraising campaign and has also asked multiple entities to contribute, such as the Cline Foundation, the Carter Foundation, the Beckley Area Foundation, etc.
On Tuesday, Salvation Army asked the City of Beckley to contribute $75,000 to the project.
Mayor Rob Rappold stated that the city could potentially use Rescue Act Funding to support the Salvation Army’s project; however multiple organizations have shown interest in the incoming funds.
Council is planning to hold two public workshops to discuss what is considered an allowable expense and who will receive portions of the funding. Salvation Army will be considered along with the other applicants.
Mayor Rappold did not state when the workshops will be held.