FRESNO (KMJ) — Ongoing High Speed Rail construction is forcing the Fresno Rescue Mission to give up one of its buildings.
The non-profit announced Wednesday morning that the site at 310 G Street will be coming down and the land used for the new railroad.
“That facility houses our administration building, our chapel, dormitory for men that sleeps approximately 100 men, our kitchen, our dining hall where we serve 750 to 800 meals a day, our classrooms and our computer center,” reveals CEO Don Eskes.
It means a move to temporary accommodation until the new campus is ready, but Eskes adds that he and his staff are committed to continuing all services.
“Secondly, all the donations we receive from our very generous donor base go to ministry and programs. They are not funding the move.”
It is anticipated that operations will move to the temporary structures by the end of 2017, and be used for three to five years. In that time officials will be designing, planning, and ultimately building a new permanent campus – which will be situated close by the current site.
But a final deal with the California High Speed Rail Authority is yet to be reached, and the site itself is still owned by the Fresno Rescue Mission.
“We’re still in discussions of how and when that’ll be done,” continues Eskes. “All we’re asking is that what is taken is replaced.”
The California High Speed Rail Authority is yet to respond to a request for comment.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
