By Danny Bernardini/ DBernardini@TheReporter.com
Posted: 07/03/2009 01:00:20 AM PDT
A couple years ago, the empty lot at 310 Beck St. in Fairfield was nothing more than a collection of rocks, dirt and weeds.
No longer barren, three different buildings are starting to take shape as Mission Solano and other partners plug along building the 164-bed Bridge To Life Center.
The progress was shown off Thursday as more than 100 people gathered at the site for a progress report on the project that will double the amount of beds for homeless in Solano County. Plans are to have a shelter ready for the homeless by the fall.
Ron Marlette, executive director of Mission Solano, greeted the group and told a story about how five years ago, a group stood across the street in the rain looking at the unimproved lot.
"As you can see, we've done a lot of work since the walls went up," he told the group. "For many of us in the trenches, we don't get as excited when we see progress."
The Bridge to Life Center is planned to be a 31,000-square-foot complex, complete with a chapel, family units, day care, dining, a men's dorm and an area for single women and children.
Mission Solano has teamed with HomeAid Northern California -- which is funding half the project -- and other builders to make the dream a reality. HomeAid has already donated $4.8 million, Marlette said.
Also helping out in what Marlette and others referred to as a model of private/public partnerships, both Solano County and the city of Fairfield have helped fund the project.
Fairfield gave Mission Solano $900,000 while Solano County gifted $1 million two years ago before pledging a bridge loan of $750,000 earlier this year so construction could start.
Marlette told the Solano County Board of Supervisors at the time that the money most likely wouldn't be used, but was needed to show the banks that capitol was there. He said Thursday that the $750,000 was still sitting in an account untouched.
Supervisor John Vasquez told the crowd that the decision wasn't tough and was something that had to be done to get the project rolling.
"They were at that point, the tipping point. I think the doubters have put the doubt to rest," Vasquez said. "Mankind became human when they started caring about each other. This is a shining example of that."
It was just days after receiving that loan, Marlette said, that construction started at Beck Street. Now, Mission Solano must continue to raise $3.5 million to complete the complex. A campaign called "Countdown to Occupancy" is underway to help with that.
"I believe it can happen," Marlette said. "I believe we can raise the money and build this out to the street."
Mission Solano homeless center makes progress
By Ian Thompson | DAILY REPUBLIC | July 02, 2009 16:14
Israel Espinoza and Alberto Arroyo work on one of the buildings at the new Mission Solano Bridge to Life Center Thursday in Fairfield Photo by Chris Jordan
FAIRFIELD - Three of the eight buildings at Mission Solano's Bridge to Life Center are well on their way to completion and are expected to open in November to help the area's homeless.
But center backers need more money to finish the rest of the complex. They're working to receive grants and raise more funds from the community to get them built.
On Thursday, Mission Solano Board Chairman Tim LeFever both lauded the community for its support so far and added 'that we are going to ask you for more.'
Mission Solano has the money it needed to finish the current construction and it also has a line of credit from Solano County to fund future construction.
But LeFever and Mission Solano Executive Director Ron Marlette would rather only tap into the line of credit as a last resort.
LeFever agreed times are tight, but feels when the community sees what is being accomplished 'there will be additional help.'
'The less fortunate in our community are growing and this says that we care about you,' Marlette said of the center.
The Bridge to Life Center is a $11.5 million, eight-building campus located on Beck Avenue that will feature dorms for men and women as well as family housing.
On Thursday, Mission Solano members gathered at the site to thank those who have helped out and show them what has been accomplished so far.
A lot of the applause went to HomeAid of Northern California, the charitable building arm for the Home Builders Association of Northern California, which has been a major force in building the center.
So far, the 63-bed women's and children's building, the 60-bed family building and a day-care center have been framed and work has started to complete the walls and roofs.
The dining hall and laundry are next on the list to be built, followed by the education/administration building, single men's dorm, chapel and caretaker's residence.
For more information about Mission Solano and the Bridge to Life Center, call 422-1011 or go online to http://www.missionsolano.org.
Reach Ian Thompson at 427-6976 or at ithompson@dailyrepublic.net.
