Lorain City Council unanimously agreed Jan. 2 to allow legislation regarding the proposed Broadway Commons to a third and final reading.
If Council gives CHN Housing Partners and Emerald Development and Economic Network its nod of approval, Broadway Commons would become a permanent housing facility planned at the intersection of Broadway and East 21st Street.
The site plan includes 50 housing units for homeless men and women with 12 of the apartments reserved for homeless military veterans.
Children will not be allowed at the facility.
While there was no discussion prior to the vote, afterward, officials discussed the status of the memorandum of understanding between the Lorain Police Department and the development groups.
The agreement mandates the development group to incorporate a police substation in the facility where a Lorain police officer would work onsite during evening hours.
The agreement would require the developer to increase the cost of the project from $16 million to $20 million to offset costs of the substation as well as the officer’s salary to monitor the complex from 5 p.m. until midnight every day.
“The MOU (memorandum of understanding) that has been entered into between the Lorain Police Department and the developers of the project has been finalized,” Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley told City Council.
Ward 3 Councilwoman Pamela Carter requested a copy of the document to review before she casts her final vote on the matter.
“I think Council should have an opportunity to think about questions they’d like to ask and have a full understanding about what this memorandum of understanding actually entails,” Bradley said.
“And, I would hope we could do that like ASAP,” Carter responded.
The memorandum wouldn’t go into effect unless Council approves the developers’ proposed site plan, Bradley pointed out.
A Federal Programs Committee meeting was scheduled for Jan. 8 where the matter will be discussed.
Lorain Police Department Chief James McCann will attend the meeting to field any questions, Bradley said.
“The chief of police will answer any questions you have,” Bradley told City Council.
In other news, Council unanimously voted to increase wages for Council Clerk Breanna Dull as well as a deputy clerk.
Dull’s pay was increased to $71,683, while the deputy clerk’s salary was raised to $56,000.
“This raise is in line with other raises other entities are receiving in Lorain presently,” said Ward 8 Councilman Joshua Thornsberry.
City Council meets again in regular session at 6 p.m., Jan. 16.
This article was corrected to reflect the proposed facility will include both men and women tenants at 11:18 a.m. Jan. 5, 2024.
Incorrect information appeared on page A1 of the Jan. 4 edition.
