Downtown Wausau may soon be home to a new warming shelter - WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports

Downtown Wausau may soon be home to a new warming shelter. 

The Wausau Planning Sub Committee met Tuesday night, and approved a conditional use permit for a new warming shelter.

The proposed shelter would be located in the basement of the St. Paul's United Church of Christ community center on 319 Fourth St. 

City leaders say the shelter is for anyone looking to stay out of the cold weather for a couple of months.  

Some say it's needed, while others say it's a distraction to have in the downtown. 

"It may be a distraction for others who would want to come and patronize our downtown they may feel uncomfortable in doing so because someone is standing in a doorway or laying down on the sidewalk," said David Nutting, Wausau City Council Member. 

"In terms of whether it is the right or the wrong place, right now it's the right place and we hope to build it again as a success model and make it a great success and that the business community will also feel like it's a great place for it to be," said Christine Ellis, of the United Way. 

The proposal will now go to the common council on January 8th. If approved, city leaders say the shelter is expected to open February 1st.