Use of vacant city building debated

NEWBERRY – Once a functioning daycare facility, the fate of a city building that formerly housed the Newberry Daycare Center is left in the hands of the Newberry City Commission.

Discussion about what would become of the building near The Freddie L. Warmack Ball Park began Tuesday night.

City Manager Keith Ashby told the city commission that city staff was looking at three options for the facility. The commission could decide to rent out the facility, request proposals for another daycare center or allow the Blessed Hope Foundation to operate at the location.

Resident Sue Andes said she does not want Blessed Hope to operate at this location.

Louis King also said bringing the foundation to this location would be a safety concern.

“To me, that would put the city at too many liabilities at this point,” he said.

Don Ricard, a representative for the Blessed Hope Foundation, defended the option of allowing the organization to operate there. He said the foundation has helped numerous local residents.

There are plans to have a food pantry at the location, not a thrift store, Ricard said.  He said the location would be ideal to have the bimonthly meals because it is wheelchair accessible and easy to reach for residents.

Suggesting a slightly different route, Commissioner Alena Lawson suggested that the LEAP program locate to the former daycare center. The volunteer-based program will last six weeks beginning June 25 and will focus on teaching sixth to eleventh graders basic math and science courses.

The commission seemed to agree that this item would be passed on to a citizens advisory committee, to which they are appointing members next meeting.