Weigand homeless resource center looks to expand its footprint
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The Weigand Center, a day-time homeless resource center near the heart of Downtown, is asking for permission to expand its footprint at 437 W. 200 S.
The Catholic Diocese, which owns and operates the center, applied for a conditional use permit last week requesting permission for the expansion.
According to plans submitted with the request, the facility would increase from 10,633 square feet to 16,212, growing its footprint by 52 percent.
The Diocese provides case management, storage facilities, hygiene products, laundry facilities and showers, among other resources. It has also acted as an overflow overnight shelter when other shelters are at capacity.
The facility typically operates between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The addition would add space for new office space, new skills training space.
It used to be immediately east of The Road Home shelter, which the state bought after the Legislature forced it to close. Rather than maintain that building as an overnight shelter near the existing services for vulnerable populations, the state demolished the building and sold the 1.17-acre property to a private developer.
That developer is building a 210-unit apartment building with market rate units.
The Road Home’s forced closure coincided with the region’s homeless service providers opening three smaller overnight shelters: one in Central City, one in Ballpark and one in South Salt Lake.
There had been chatter about whether the remaining homeless services would continue in the same spots Downtown.
The Weigand’s proposed expansion shows the area may remain an epicenter for homeless services.
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