WE Blog

No one would say it’s been easy, but the dispute between Sedgwick County and Episcopal Social Services at least has been resolved. The County Commission’s agenda today includes an agreement with the agency about the county’s $1.3 million purchase of its building at 233 S. St. Francis to make way for the downtown arena, setting July 8 as the agency’s deadline to move. The county’s first $500,000 appraisal and offer was far from what the agency needed to find another building. Even now, ESS won’t find a permanent home for several years: It’s buying the building being vacated by the Breakthrough Club, then planning a capital campaign to build and move elsewhere downtown two or three years from now. “It’s important that we’re easy to find,” Sandra Lyon, CEO of Episcopal Social Services, told The Eagle editorial board. It’s also important that, throughout this challenging transition, the county and community help this vital social-services provider in every way possible.
Posted by Rhonda Holman