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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. BOX 6015 <br />COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">July 20, 2023</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: John Ogan
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Public Works
<br />City of Columbia
<br />John.Ogan@CoMo.gov
<br />573.239.1837</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Interested parties meeting for Ashley Street Center renovations to be held July 25</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - The City of Columbia Public Works department has scheduled an informal open house meeting concerning renovations to the Ashley Street Center, located at 1509 Ashley St. The meeting will be held Tuesday, July 25 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Conference Room 1C of City Hall, 701 E. Broadway.<br /><br />The Ashley Street Center currently serves as a location for an overnight shelter during winter for individuals experiencing homelessness. The proposed upgrades will allow for better use of the facility and the potential for it to be used as a year-round shelter in the future. <br /><br />The preliminary concept plan is to renovate approximately 2,500 square feet of the existing 13,700 square feet of the former VFW Post 280. The renovations also include the addition of up to six each of showers, toilets, sinks, laundry washers and dryers. It also is to include modifications to the existing kitchen, exh
aust hood and food service areas to comply with Health and Fire department safety requirements. Renovations will also include modifications and additions to the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems to facilitate possible future programs at the facility. The overall intent of the project is to improve services to the City's most vulnerable populations.<br /><br />Construction of this project is currently scheduled to be completed in late fall, 2023. Should construction continue into winter, accommodations will be made for Room at the Inn to be able to provide housing and services to the unsheltered as needed in the Ashley Street Center.<br /><br />At the open house, information and diagrams showing the design concepts will be available for public review, City staff will be present to answer questions and a public comment form will be available if you have any comments for the City to consider. <br /><br />More information on the proposed improvements can also be fo
und online at <a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://BeHeard.CoMo.gov/Ashley-Street-Center">BeHeard.CoMo.gov/Ashley-Street-Center</a>.<br /><br /><em>Members of the public may attend any open meeting. For requests for accommodations related to disability, please call 573.874.CITY (2489) or email City@CoMo.gov. In order to assist staff in making the appropriate arrangements for your accommodation, please make your request as far in advance of the posted meeting date as possible.</em></div>
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<div class="content"><strong>Location:</strong> <a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://gocolumbiamo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=62b0c3219184457b88d19cf44ce1f4a3&find=701 E. Broadway" target="_blank">701 E. Broadway</a></div>
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<div class="attachments">This release has the following attachments:<br /><br /><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=3034">Photograph of Ashley Street Center</a><br /><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=3033">Ashley Street Center Concept Plans</a></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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