A mop hangs over a railing inside of the Pavilion at the state fairgrounds in Salem on May 12, 2020. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
The city of Salem is nearing an agreement to use the interior pavilion at the Oregon State Fairgrounds and an adjacent parking lot for a homeless shelter.
Jimmy Jones, executive director of the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, said there will be 100 spots and a few car camping spaces at the site.
He said contracts still need to be signed.
Gretchen Bennett, the city’s homelessness liaison, said a nonprofit operation will have 24/7 staffing at the location.
“It is a temporary usage, to assist with meeting the needs of sheltering in our community during the pandemic – as you know we are working to have places where people can be physically distant and to reduce the impact on our parks,” Bennett said in an email to Salem city councilors.
-Saphara Harrell
