The Chop House on Main and former Field and Wright Building to the right (Google Maps)

The former Field and Wright Building on North Main Street will soon have new owners.

The Jamestown Local Development Corporation board reviewed a ten-year, $140,350 loan at 4% fixed rate interest to Andrew and Amber Carlson to purchase 100-120 North Main Street. Andrew Carlson said the purchase price is $190,000

The current owner, UCAN City Mission, is selling the building after deciding to look elsewhere to build a homeless shelter for families and women. They had bought the building in 2021, but, according to a March 2023 Jamestown Post-Journal article, ceased construction on the 85-bed facility when they encountered asbestos issues that required additional grant funding.

Carlson, who operates The Chop House on Main, which is located next door in the Fenton Building, said the restaurant’s current banquet room and coolers are actually located in the Field and Wright Building.

He said his and Amber’s main goal is to expand the banquet space, “Beside that room, it goes all the way back in that building. She (Amber) came up with the ‘Ballroom On Main‘ is what we’d like to do. It would have an access from North Main Street with a lobby, bar down there, and a little cocktail reception area. And then you would go to the second floor which would be our banquet facility. And that would seat up to 300 people.”

Carlson said the building needs a new roof at a cost of $186,000 and a new support beam, which costs $30,000.

The JLDC board tabled the loan request due to not having enough members present to vote given that Vicki McGraw requested to abstain due to her son being employed by the Chop House. The resolution will go through a unanimous consent process via email for all board members so that it can be brought forward to Jamestown City Council for approval at their Monday, June 26 voting session.

The funding through the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance‘s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program will go toward replacing an obsolete heating system at its 17-unit, 29-bed emergency shelter in Jamestown.

United Christian Advocacy Network City Mission Executive Director Aaron Wadin said, “This is a huge blessing and an answer to prayer as it will allow us to continue to serve our guests in a warm shelter during these winter months, as well as providing air-conditioning in the building, for the first time in the history of this mission here in Jamestown, during the hot summer months.”

The Homeless Housing Assistance Program provides capital grants and loans to not-for-profit corporations, charitable and religious organizations, and municipalities to acquire, construct, or rehabilitate housing for persons who are unable to secure adequate housing without special assistance.

Jamestown City Council work session (September 12, 2022)

City officials and local organizations are continuing to meet to work on ways to address rising homelessness in Jamestown.

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist updated City Council on a meeting held Monday with organizations that are part of the county’s Homeless Coalition including the Salvation Army, UCAN Mission, Chautauqua Opportunities, Southern Tier Environments for Living, UPMC, and more, “What we’ve normally seen in the past is homelessness that includes folks that have been kicked out of shelters or have been sanctioned by the county or other providers for whatever violation of services they provided. We would normally see about 25 to 30, that’s what the last census was of homeless here in the city. We are finding encampments that can be up to 50 to 70 people. And we are trying to work to deal with it.”

Sundquist said part of the discussion included planning for winter given that individuals without housing often look for abandoned houses to break into in order to stay warm.

He said the city had a meeting scheduled with with local pastors Tuesday night to discuss homelessness and how the faith community can assist. A second Homeless Coalition meeting is scheduled for later this month.

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist and City Council President Tony Dolce at City Council’s Work Session on August 22, 2022

Homelessness in Jamestown and efforts to combat it topped discussions by Jamestown City Council Monday night.

Housing Committee Chair Marie Carrubba said the issue of homelessness in downtown Jamestown, including people camping under the South Main Street viaduct, isn’t new and that the Homeless Coalition has been trying to address it for over 15 years, “The moratorium that was lifted on evictions has now created more of a homeless problem in the city because those individuals are no longer housed where they were not paying rent and utilities. So, we’re seeing more and more on the streets. I believe police, public safety, have been down trying to address the issue. I know the city has been down there offering assistance and giving resources and information to the individuals who have been there.”

Council member at Large Jeff Russell said he planned to talk to the groups of homeless people to find out what their situations are, “Are they from Jamestown or have they come here from somewhere else? Did they have housing? Were they removed from housing and what the situation is? I’m not going to leave it up to others to do that. I’m going to do it myself. And if there’s any other council members that want to join me, to come down and have a chat, and just see how we can help or what their situation is, then I would welcome that.”

Mayor Eddie Sundquist said challenges in Jamestown include the evictions, the location of the city and cost of living; weather, and homeless shelters being at capacity. He said there are some actions the city is taking right now to try to address homeless issues including moving homeless populations out of unsafe areas like the viaduct or near unsafe buildings, “As we shift out of more visible areas, you’re seeing more people end up in our parks. You’re seeing more people end up under other areas. And so we’re trying really hard to keep up with that. At the same time, we’re providing resources. You mentioned the beat patrols – we send out foot patrols down to provide resources. We also work with our partners at COI, at UCAN Mission, with Salvation Army Domestic Violence, and others.”

Sundquist said the city is also working with the county, who has a program to provide funds for those who are here in Jamestown and don’t have the means to get back to wherever they call home. He said in early September, the Homeless Coalition will be having an in-person meeting in Jamestown, “Their entire goal has been to really focus on funding and on the ground support. So I personally went to that group and made a plea and said, ‘You need to be in Jamestown. What good are you as a group if you’re not physically here helping the people that we have.'”

Sundquist said the date will be announced this week. He added that local churches will be invited as well.

The volunteers, through the Ascension Leadership Academy, raised $31,000 through a virtual auction and an entertainment event.

The new shelter will be located in the former Field & Wright Building on North Main and First Street in downtown Jamestown.

UCAN Executive Director Jeff Rotunda said the facility will have 85 beds in addition to a laundry area, learning center, and a thrift store.

The Battle of the Classes is in its 42nd year and has raised over $300,000 for local charities and organizations. The winner of this year’s competition between the four high school classes was the sophomore class.

The annual Battle of the Classes is a competition between JHS classes to see who can raise the most money for the designated charity over a two-week time. The Battle includes fun games, sporting competitions and a dance-off to celebrate.

The UCAN City Mission is currently raising funds to renovate the former Field and Wright building located on North Main and First Streets in downtown Jamestown. UCAN Executive Director Jeff Rotunda said the facility will include 40-beds for family units and 45-beds for single women. The plan also includes a full kitchen area, laundry area, and learning center.