Salvation Army looking to relocate

The Salvation Army of Dane County is proposing selling its aging downtown location at 630 E. Washington Ave., then using proceeds from the sale of the property to move to and expand its second location at 3030 Darbo Drive. If the plan is approved, the Salvation Army would move its shelter and its medical and dental services to an expanded campus in the Darbo neighborhood.

The existing Darbo facility would be expanded to include a two-story addition that would include room for 40 to 45 single women and 18 family rooms with restrooms. A chapel would be added, the food pantry expanded, and other interior improvements made.

Transportation challenges for clients could be an issue, and Darbo neighbors also question the facility’s expansion in a neighborhood already challenged by poverty, violence, and crime.

Costs are yet unknown, but the chapel and renovation of the existing Darbo building would be covered by private funds. Seventy percent of the new addition could potentially be covered by Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority funds. The Salvation Army would like to begin construction late in 2014 or early 2015, according to reports.