When will Echo Village be ready for habitation? Cold weather is presumably on its way and yet the pallet shelters are still not ready for occupation. With the goal of providing emergency shelter for those experiencing homelessness, the original target for bringing these 45 units online had been last spring. Months later, and with cold weather approaching, the units are still not ready. WPRI spoke with Governor McKee about the delay:
“We also knew that it requires local, fire code, building codes you have to follow. And that’s been a stumbling block, and it’s delayed it and has added cost to it in the end,” said McKee. “Let’s hope that it adds to the inventory of shelters that will help the people who are homeless. And, we do our best to make it work.”
We wrote about the project last January when they had just started grading the property. At that time planners had hoped to open in March which, looking back, seems ridiculously optimistic. Two months?
The next steps are to pave accessible walkways, install underground piping, and finalize utility hookups.
Following that, all that remains is the inspections for the certification of occupancy. Every effort should be made towards creating a safe situation for the female residents. Four “office units” are in the plan; the site is to be staffed at all times.
Echo Village is on Victor Street, across from the Foxy Lady. In the background in this photo is Route 146.