Room at the Inn receiving major upgrade
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MARQUETTE -- A major renovation at the downtown Marquette homeless shelter will see significant improvements to the building.
Room at the Inn occupies the building a located at 447 W. Washington St. Chelsie Wilkinson, who is executive director of the facility, is overseeing work.
"It's a pretty unique project," she said. "There are a lot ... of moving pieces."
The scope of work includes removal of the building's awning. That took place in 2025. Also, the agency's signage is being repaired and improved and the facade brick work is being removed and replaced with new brick work.
The building's electrical system is being upgraded plus window replacement is planned. Also, the boiler that heats the building will be improved and the showers upgraded.
Underwriting the work is a $100,000 grant from Marquette County, passed through from the federal government in 2022-23 as a part of funds distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, a state grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority totaling $72,000, is helping to fund the improvements, she said.
Cross General Contracting of Marquette (the firm has offices in various cities in Michigan) is in charge of the work. Wilkinson credits Cross with keeping the project on schedule and on budget.
Room at the Inn hosts 46 homeless persons each night. Wilkinson said there are 24 beds on the building's second floor, six beds that are Americans with Disabilities Act qualified plus 16 cots that are set up in the dining area each night.
There is a 20 person waiting list to stay there, she added.