City makes second attempt to buy property for men’s shelter

Seven Madison City Council members and Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway have introduced a resolution to purchase a 31,550-square-foot building at 2002 Zeier Road for $2.6 million, according to a Wisconsin State Journal report. The resolution is the city’s second attempt to purchase the former Gander Mountain building, which it intends to use as a homeless men’s shelter. Unlike the first purchase resolution, the new one states the location will be a temporary shelter location while a permanent option is sought. Last spring, a purchase attempt failed to gain the super-majority vote needed. This time, a change in the funding structure will not require a super-majority vote. If passed, the resolution will turn the 2.7-acre property into a temporary shelter. The city is currently vetting five locations for a permanent shelter to serve homeless men.