Following last week's city commission discussion -- and ahead of tonight's planning commission review -- of Safe Harbor's proposal to open an emergency homeless shelter at 517 Wellington, The Ticker looks at key questions and next steps in the decision process.

Q: What's next for Safe Harbor?
A: Traverse City planning commissioners will consider Safe Harbor's special land use permit (SLUP) application tonight at 7:30pm at the Governmental Center. Planning Commission Chairman John Serratelli recently submitted a list of legal questions to City Attorney Lauren Trible-Laucht about the city's liability for the building if leased. Trible-Laucht responded with answers to commissioners this week but declined to share them with The Ticker, citing attorney-client privilege.

Ottenwess, however, says there are “strong layers of protection” in place for municipalities against liability. The city manager also says he'll soon provide commissioners a cost analysis for improvements Safe Harbor is requesting the city make to the property, another question raised by officials. Safe Harbor board member Christie Minervini describes the repairs as “basic,” noting her organization is planning to invest over $400,000 in improving the city-owned building.

The soonest city commissioners could likely give final approval to Safe Harbor is November 17. Between the 30 days' notice the city must provide current tenant Traverse City Film Festival to vacate the premises, finalizing a management agreement and completing building improvements, both Ottenwess and Minervini agree Safe Harbor will likely have to wait another season to open its doors.

“We're disappointed the timeline has stretched as long as it has,” says Minervini. “We're scrambling to fill the gaps (in host churches) this season. There's an urgent need for us to get in that building...but we're going to do everything we can in the meantime to continue (providing services).” Minervini says Safe Harbor is recruiting volunteers, drivers and fundraisers for those interested in supporting the organization's efforts.

Q: What's next for Grand Traverse Sports Center?
A: City commissioners last week directed City Manager Jered Ottenwess to focus on Safe Harbor's plan and not entertain other offers for Wellington, including NorthStar Soccer's proposed Grand Traverse Sports Center (GTSC). That direction, however, came during a study session, so commissioners didn't officially vote on the motion. Commissioners Jeanine Easterday and Mayor Michael Estes also requested more information from GTSC on its proposal, which NorthStar President Darrell Rogers says sent conflicting messages.

“Even though the process is confusing...we are going to provide the information (that was) asked for,” says Rogers. “If the commission says 'no thank you' to our proposal via an actual vote, we will...respect that and continue our quest to find or create a home for GTSC."

Any commissioner could request that GTSC be added to an upcoming agenda for a vote. Estes says “it's possible” he will add the item in the future.

Other proposed uses for Wellington have included a hydroponics fish farm, a Traverse City Light & Power warehouse, a $200,000 purchase offer and a start-up location for an unnamed business.

Q: What will happen to the Traverse City Film Festival (TCFF) if the building is leased to another group?
A: TCFF has leased the Wellington building since 2008 on a month-to-month basis for $1/month as a storage center and distribution hub. TCFF Executive Director Deb Lake says the building is a “key component of successful TCFF operations” and that the organization “cannot operate without a facility like 517 Wellington."

“While we have been searching for almost a year now for another option...there are currently no viable alternative locations that provide these vital functions,” says Lake. “If we are evicted, we very much hope that the community will help us find another suitable and affordable location.” Ottenwess says the city informed TCFF of Safe Harbor's proposal early on, but that the festival's possible eviction has not been “front and center” in city commission discussions.