AMARILLO, TEXAS -- The Salvation Army has been a fixture downtown for more than three decades, but its future there may be in question.
After coming up with a new strategic plan, a change of direction may turn into a change of address.
Their grand opening at 4th and Harrison was back in 2002. Since then, there's been a change in leadership with Major Tim Grider leading the way these days.
In the last few years, he and the Board of Directors have come up with a strategic business plan. First and foremost is the renovation of their store on Southeast 27th Street. For consideration down the road is a consolidation of all their services and buildings in one location, possibly out of the downtown area.
"That's all part of the very beginning, discussions, talks, program, committees, and we came to the conclusion back then, 'Okay, this is what we gotta do, will this do it? Yes, No? No?' Alright, we gotta start looking," said Major Tim Grider.
Grider stresses any chance of a move is potentially a long way off and is still only a thought in the business plan. He says they're landlocked at this time with no chance of expansion and moving out of the downtown area would be a viable solution, especailly with the revitalization plans moving forward.
"Has anyone from the City come to you and asked you to move out of the downtown area?" Pronews 7 asked.
"No one's come to us, maybe, perhaps, because we had already begun thinking about it," Major Grider said. "I mean that's a reality. And actually when I went to them of this, they were tickled pink to hear it and that may be why, but they didn't say that, certianly."
Pronews 7 spoke with City Commissioner Jim Simms who says he's not necessarily opposed to a move by the Salvation Army but believes their current downtown location has served them well.
"For longer than we've been working on downtown revitalization, that area's been home for the homless, but I dont' have a problem if they stay or if they leave. and I understand consolidation and it makes sense," said Simms.
Major Grider says there's nothing definitive regarding a move at this time, it's just a part of their business plan and something they will consider as the profile of downtown Amarillo changes.
