AMHERST — At the earliest stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Amherst officials prepared for disruptions to shelter services for homeless individuals by buying a trailer so guests could continue to take hot showers.
Eighteen months after acquiring the shower and restroom trailer for more than $40,000, though, it remains parked in the Department of Public Works yard and, due to its not complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act code, has never been used.
“We were feeling the urgency to figure out how to get something rather than have nothing,” Town Manager Paul Bockelman says of the decision to invest $43,005 in the portable restroom trailer.
The decision to buy the trailer was motivated by an understanding that guests at the Craigs Place shelter in March 2020, then located at the First Baptist Church, 434 North Pleasant St., might need to find other places to stay to reduce the likelihood of the spread of infection.
To rectify the situation and make sure guests at the overnight emergency shelter have showers for the coming season, the town is seeking bids to add showers and restrooms to an existing trailer parked on Massachusetts Avenue, behind the First Baptist Church. That trailer has been used as the resource center, offices and storage for Craig’s Doors: A Home Association, which runs the shelter.
The written quotes for what is called “Craig’s Doors shower modifications” asks contractors to provide all equipment, materials and labor to build a new accessible bathroom and showers at the site. Price quotes are due at the town accountant’s office by Thursday at 2 p.m.
Even without getting a variance to use the trailer, Craig’s Doors and the town worked to find showers for guests last season when the operations moved from First Baptist Church, which originally opened as a warming site in 2009, to the Unitarian Universalist Meetinghouse at 121 North Pleasant St. Though the new site didn’t have showers like the previous church, officials found usable facilities at former yoga studio and juice bar in commercial space owned by Lincoln Real Estate a short walk away.
Assistant Town Manager David Ziomek said, in addition, some people were provided rooms at the University Motor Lodge, which have showers, and others went to the Amherst Survival Center to use the facilities there.
A new location for the shelter has not been publicly identified for this fall, but if that doesn’t have showers, adding showers and restrooms to the resource center may be critical.
In the meantime, what happens to the trailer that is sitting idle is unknown. Given that it’s unlikely to be put into service, Amherst may be looking to give it away or find someone to buy it.
Bockelman said everyone involved has been frustrated over the situation.
“Reaching a good resolution has been challenging,” he said.