The former Peavey Mart location could soon be back in use. Signature Support Services wants to move both the Plus 1 Bottle Depot and its day programs for people living with developmental disabilities to the lot. Executive Director Darrin Stubbs says the spot is ideal as it’s big enough for both services, and has a large parking lot.
“We were looking around and knew that it’s time to relocate the bottle depot, plus we wanted to upgrade our day programs to just a much nicer, better facility that we believe the people that we serve deserve. It was going to be really expensive to do that in two different buildings.”
The current Plus 1 building has already been sold and is being leased back, and the day programs are also on a leased property. SSS had previously applied for a development permit for the lot, but it was turned down because Community Outreach Facilities are not included under the Arterial Commercial District. That would mean the bottle depot could be allowed, but not the programming aspect.
That was changed Monday night, when city council approved an amendment to allow facilities like this as a discretionary use. Councillor Rory Tarant followed up the decision by asking staff to report back on any other zoning areas that could be appropriate for groups like the Odyssey House and Goodwill.
The next step is from SSS to apply for a development permit again. If approved, Stubbs says they’ll be looking at more modern equipment to sort a larger quantity of bottles faster. He adds that having programs like this are essential to their success.
“They can get in there and get some job training, or they’re actually employed and paid a competitive wage. The other great thing about it is any of the surpluses that are created, because it’s a business so you can create some surpluses, we can put that towards projects like this.”
The total cost to move the Plus 1 Bottle Depot and the day programs is expected to run around $4 million. If given the go ahead, the hope is to be running by next spring.