WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -- The Wausau City Council has approved a contract with Bridge Street Mission, paving the way for the group to open a city-supported overnight shelter at their First Avenue location in 2026.
Despite pushback during public comment, Alders sided with Police Chief Matthew Barnes, who noted that the city and Bridge Street Mission have made it clear that no one will be turned away for service due to their Religious beliefs or sexual orientation. "I recognize that there are individuals whose ideology or beliefs might not be consistent with Bridge Street Mission," said Barnes. "But one thing that everyone agrees on, or everyone that I've talked to, Bridge Street Mission does a very good job at delivering [shelter service.] All of the things that were important for us to have in a shelter were included in their proposal."
Barnes also emphasized that no one would be required to pass a drug test before being admitted to the shelter. The proposal from Bridge Street Mission includes plans for three sleeping areas: men, women, and a third area for those who must be separated due to intoxication, lifestyle concerns, or mental health concerns. "if it is not condusive for them to be able to sleep in a communial environment, they have separate spaces for those individuals built into their plan."
Barnes spoke during a joint meeting of the city's Finance and Public Health and Safety Committee. Both Committees approved the contract about ten minutes before the Council meeting.
During the Council discussion, Council President Lisa Rasmussen reminded her colleagues that community groups haven't been lining up to take over the shelter program. "If we don't take this plan, which checked all of the boxes in the [Request for Proposals], we create a situation where this winter, when it's really tough here, we will have 30 or more people walking the streets because they can't get into the tiny shelter that still exists. That's our fault. Whether we want to admit that or not, whether we love the vendor or not, we have the ability to keep that from happening. We have to take advantage of that."
Alder Tom Neal said while he does not support all of what Bridge Street Mission stands for, he won't let perfect be the enemy of good. "I see this as a very dire need. Timing is important; buildout is important; winter is coming. I think having no other options we should grasp this and make the most of it."
The deal calls for five years of support from the city, starting with $350,000 in 2026. Payments eventually slip to $150,000 in 2030 with no support thereafter. Rasmussen said the fact that the shelter will be designed to be self-supporting is another positive for the plan.
Tuesday's vote was 8-3 with Alders Gary Gisseman, Terry Kilian, and Carol Lukens voting no. Lukens noted there were too many questions in the plan to move forward. Kilian vehemently stated that the city should not enter into a contract with Bridge Street Mission because of their requirement that employees and some volunteers adhere to Religious principles.
The Bridge Street Mission shelter will replace the WMC shelter operated by the Wausau PD, located at First United Methodist Church.