Women’s Resource Center won’t fight opposition of site near school
By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
The owner of property on Amanda Street that the Women’s Resource Center of Racine had targeted for a new western Racine County shelter confirmed Tuesday night that the deal appeared to be dead.
John Brensinger confirmed a rumor that he had received a letter from the WRC declining further interest in the building.
“I will confirm that,” Brensinger said. He would not comment as to any legal ramifications of the WRC backing out of the sale.
Representatives of the WRC could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
The WRC had announced plans late in the summer involving a new shelter and program center in Burlington.
However, when the proposed site became public about a month ago, furor began to grow. The proposed building, which is currently a multi-tenant boarding house, is right across the street from Cooper Elementary School.
Considerable opposition from parents of children at the school – as well as misgivings from the Transitional Learning Center board – grew quickly to a boiling point.
The Burlington Area School District School Board voted to send a letter to the City of Burlington opposing the zoning change that would be needed to make the building a shelter, and the TLC board wrote a letter saying they were hopeful for some sort of joint venture or sharing of services.
The TLC operates a homeless shelter, but has housed victims of domestic violence when needed. However, WRC workers had said that domestic violence victims need a chance to find safety and reassurance to rebuild on their own terms – not those that the TLC requires of its shelter occupants.
Also, the TLC is unable to house men or male children over the age of 12.
Currently, the WRC is operating out of Love, Inc., but that space is set to be filled by another organization shortly.
Meanwhile, Brensinger is moving forward with putting tenants back into his building.
“I’m refilling the building,” Brensinger said, adding that there’s no shortage of renters. He also said some people who were planning on leaving may choose to stay.
“It’s changing daily,” Brensinger said.
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