The city will move forward with a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) application process for Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse to use a city-owned warehouse at 517 Wellington Street as a seasonal emergency shelter for up to 100 people and support services year-round. The majority of Traverse City commissioners spoke in support of city staff moving forward with the application process during its regular monthly study session last night.

Mayor Michael Estes was the lone voice in saying he thinks the commission "would be remiss if it didn't consider all proposals."

There are at least two other proposals, according to City Manager Jered Ottenwess – an offer by Susan Kuschell to purchase the property for $200,000 and a "letter of interest" (with formal proposal forthcoming) by NorthStar Soccer, Inc. to lease the property and turn it into a multi-use/multi-sport Grand Traverse Sports Center.

The building is now used by the Traverse City Film Festival for storage as well as storage for some of the city's Con Foster collection.

With majority support (but no vote) from the commission to move forward with the Safe Harbor proposal, Ottenwess explained that the SLUP would first go to the city Planning Commission and then to the City Commission for approval. Commissioners Barbara Budros and Jeanine Easterday both spoke of legal concerns they would need to see addressed in any lease arrangement with Safe Harbor. The group is requesting a 10-year lease to use the building, with an option to renew for five years, at a nominal cost.