The transition of part of Jamestown Business College’s campus into a UCAN City Mission shelter has received city Planning Commission approval.

As work continues for St Susan Center and UCAN City Mission to take over the former Jamestown Business College, UCAN, which originally presented its portion of the project to the city’s Planning Commission in January, returned to the commission in February for official project approval.

A representative and partner with Chris Cooke, the architect on the project, came to talk to the commission on the project, as Cooke was unable to attend. He said nothing has changed since the presentation last month.

“So a general overview of what the project is, it’s the reuse of the former mansion building that was part of the JBC complex,” the representative said. “This project involves separating the mansion building from the main JBC campus building by removal of that connecting link. We’re also separating out the gas and electric service utilities between the two buildings as part of this project.”

As far as site work goes, the representative said the main work is installation of an ADA compliant ramp to the front porch, with the walkway currently planned to go across the front of the St Susan Center portion of the property as well. UCAN and St Susan Center are currently working on an agreement to allow that to happen.

In the backyard space there are plans for the development of a play area, with plans to scratch the current material out deep enough to get a playground type surface in, along with playground equipment and a privacy fence. A walk will also be installed on the side and the current sign outside will be removed and no signage will be involved in the project.

Parking wise, parking will be offsite at one of the former JBC parking lots across the street. No improvements are planned for the lot.

The representative also gave an overview of the building itself, including general clean up and mechanical work in the basement, renovations on the first floor and main level to include office space, a shared communal living space, a small kitchen and dining area and a bathroom, with one ADA accessible bedroom and bathroom, the staircases, and renovations for guest rooms on the second floor. Six guest rooms are planned for the second floor, with four set up suite style that will have connecting doors between the units in case a family is in need of more than one room. Two of the guest rooms will be standard guest rooms, and the back corner is set up for bathrooms.

The third floor attic space will house general clean up and mechanical work, similar to the basement. The exterior of the building will remain the same.

Following a little bit more discussion and questions on some aspects of the project, the Planning Commission approved the SEQR and site plan for the project.