Day and overnight shelters to temporarily relocate to Mayo Civic Center

With Covid-19 cases remaining high in the area, local leaders have announced plans to merge the day and evening warming centers with a temporary shelter inside the Mayo Civic Center.

The changes take effect Thursday evening.

The decision, according to a news release, was made in response to positive case results at both the day and evening shelters. The day center had been run out of the old Silver Lake fire house, while an evening shelter — run by Catholic Charities — operated out of a location on Fourth Street SW.

“Being in one location works really well right now, especially at a location with ample space,” said Rochester Public Library Director Audrey Betcher, according to a news release from the city.

The Civic Center had previously been used as a day center. City officials say despite the move in operations, The Landing will continue to run the Day Center, with assistance from the City of Rochester, while the Rochester Community Warming Center services will continue to be provided by Catholic Charities and Olmsted County.

 “This temporary change of operations is the best decision to keep the unsheltered homeless in our community as healthy and safe as possible during this pandemic, said Dave Dunn, director of Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. “When we operated the warming center out of the Mayo Civic Center earlier this year, it worked out quite successfully, so I’m expecting much of the same this time around. After four weeks, we will evaluate whether the stay at the Mayo Civic Center will need to be extended.”

Cover photo: file / Mayo Civic Center