Business leaders ask Pasco to reconsider Gospel Mission permits

Two Pasco residents are asking city leaders to rescind special use permits that will eventually lead to construction of a 164-bed shelter for the community's homeless and poor.

It 2011, the City of Pasco approved a special use permit with conditions, to allow the Tri-City Union Gospel Mission to build a new 40,000 square foot facility near the downtown area.

Russell Glatt is running for city council, and addressed the council Monday night to ask them to put the breaks on the project.

"The last 20 years we've been talking about revitalization, but this project will devitalize downtown Pasco," said Glatt.

Armando Rodriguez told council that Pasco shouldn't become a destination for the Tri-City's poor.

"Kennewick and Richland should take care of their own homeless," said Rodriguez. "Pasco-- we can take care of ours."

Rodriguez said having the shelter at Columbia and 3rd will hurt downtown businesses.

"It needs to be at another site. I don't believe the current proposed size is adequate for what we need. It's too big in scope." He said there is already a problem with homeless residents in the downtown area that won't be made better with a "super mission."

Glatt claimed that the city hadn't held public meetings about the proposed mission and special use permits, but City Attorney Leland Kerr said public hearings had been held as part of the approval process.

"We could do some sort of a town meeting to discuss current issues," said City Manager Dave Zabell. "But (city council) couldn't come out of that and rescind building permits and development approvals."

Zabell and other community dignitaries took part in a groundbreaking on the site of the future Union Gospel Mission on April 27, 2017.