WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | Council members react to Wayside's 'bold move'

Council members react to Wayside's 'bold move'

By Marisela Burgos - bio | email
Posted by Charles Gazaway - email

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - Controversy is swirling over Wayside Christian Mission's decision to reopen Hotel Louisville as a hotel and not as a shelter as they originally planned. The question many people are asking is if Wayside in compliance by running Hotel Louisville as a hotel and charging its guests a penny to stay there.

Thursday morning, Wayside unveiled its plan to run Hotel Louisville as a hotel and not a shelter as it originally intended.

“It’s getting cold outside and we couldn't get through the red tape to bring our shelter here. Our emergency shelter is still on Market Street,” said Nina Moseley, chief operating officer of Wayside Christian Mission.

Moseley said because they had been waiting for a formal interpretation of the zoning code regarding Hotel Louisville and haven't gotten it yet, she decided to move forward.

“This was one creative way that we could make space for our women and children,” Moseley said. “We're extremely fearful a woman or child was going to freeze to death.”

The 83 guests already staying in the economy rooms at Hotel Louisville can't ask for anything better.

“It cost me 30 cents to stay here for 30 days, which is very reasonable in my book,” said Terri Perez, a Hotel Louisville guest.

Members of the Louisville Metro Council are reacting to the bold move made by Wayside to provide its women and families who are transitioning out of the emergency shelter on Market Street a place to stay.

“I was so pleased that to see, after this long wait, that Wayside is finally moving into the facility that they own,” said Councilman Hal Heiner (R-District 19).

However, Councilman Tom Owen does not agree.

“…And it still seems to me that Wayside is doing a publicity move, an end run, a way of getting some attention to the need,” said Owen (D-District 8).

Moseley's plan to run Hotel Louisville as a hotel continues.

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• Wayside reopens Hotel Louisville site as hotel

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