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The Sunset Motel shelter’s opening is delayed because of over-budget construction bids
By: Amanda Pirani
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB/Report for America) — The opening of the Sunset Motel emergency shelter will face a delay after construction bids for the project came in at more than $1 million over budget.
While the shelter did not have an official opening date, it was expected to be completed next summer. A new estimated timeline has not yet been determined.
The Sunset Motel Project, led by Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP), is an initiative to turn a former Athens motel into an emergency shelter. Current plans for the shelter include 27 units that can house up to 48 individuals, as well as wraparound support and services.
The project was first put out to bid in October after lead abatement on the motel property was completed in early fall. The resulting two bids were both over budget.
In response to that first round, the shelter project team designated some aspects of their plan as optional, which included paving the parking lot, a playground and a solar array.
Before putting it out to bid again, the team also hosted a pre-bid walk-through to ensure bidders understood the scope of the project.
However, Valerie Stillson, public relations coordinator for HAPCAP, said the closest bid received during the second round remained more than $1.5 million above their budget.
Project team weighs next steps, updated timeline to come
Stillson said there are several factors that may have contributed to the budgeting challenges the project has faced.
“We’ve heard that it could be … labor availability, some of the complexity of renovating an older structure … rising material costs, prevailing wage requirements, bid bond costs,” she said. “We’re thinking about, could it be separated into smaller projects? Would that address that need? We don’t know the answer to that right now but certainly are considering a lot of different options.”
The organization is working to identify next steps, which could include seeking additional funding or taking additional measures to lower construction costs.
“(We’ve) been speaking with the HAPCAP board, as well as the internal planning team, on what exactly we need to try … to make sure that it’s still maintaining safety and quality and dignity for the folks who are going to eventually be residents but make it maybe a little bit easier to get to that funding amount,” Stillson said.
As the team works to develop a new path forward, Stillson said the project continues to seek community input and has opened a survey for those who have experienced homelessness to help inform shelter operations and services.
The Sunset Motel has been described by city officials and community members as a key solution to addressing rising homelessness in the county. The county currently has no permanent emergency shelter, despite having the highest poverty rate in the state.
However, Stillson cautioned that no single project will be able to address homelessness in the county entirely.
“It really takes a broader system,” she said. “The things that includes are prevention, supportive housing, more low-income housing, of course, also emergency shelter … those are all really big steps, and no one can do it alone.”
As of 2024, Athens had 29 homeless individuals according to a point-in-time count reported by the Athens County Foundation. That count is performed on a particular day each January as part of annual efforts to assess the scope of homelessness nationally.
However, experts suggest the actual number may be higher due to challenges in reaching those experiencing homelessness.
To address the area’s current needs during the winter weather, Stillson said, The Gathering Place will be operating an emergency warming shelter in partnership with United Campus Ministry. The shelter will be open when temperatures drop below 15 degrees for a sustained 12–24 hour period.
Amanda Pirani is WOUB’s Report for America Journalist covering Economic Livelihood. For more information about Report for America, you can click here.