Fort Bragg OKs turning landmark hotel into office space, transitional housing

The Fort Bragg City Council has approved $1.2 million in state grant funding for a controversial plan to turn a landmark downtown hotel into office space for a homeless and mental health services provider and short-term housing for the needy.

The 3-1 vote Monday night in favor of the Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center’s plan is the final city approval required of the agency, which also provides drug rehabilitation services.

But the proposal still faces a legal challenge from residents opposed to converting the 123-year-old Old Coast Hotel on Franklin Street to offices and housing.

A request for a preliminary injunction to stop the project is scheduled to be heard in the Mendocino County Superior Court on May 15, said Rod Jones, attorney for Concerned Citizens of Fort Bragg, the group that is suing. The county’s request to dismiss the case will be heard at the same time.

City officials who favor the project say it’s crucial to improving services for the city’s homeless population.

“We want to provide more effective services to help people get out of homelessness,” Fort Bragg Mayor Dave Turner said.

Project opponents contend the downtown location on the edge of the historic business district is no place for homeless and mental health offices and transitional housing. They also say there are better, less expensive buildings - including at least two motels - available for the project.