The now-closed Forest Manor Motel along Route 66 on the east side of Lebanon, Missouri, may be converted into a homeless shelter by a local ministry.
Ministers of Fire once used the motel as temporary quarters for homeless clients, KSPR-TV in Springfield reported.
But Mike Duran of the ministry said the owners of the motel, which closed a few months ago, may let the group lease the property as a full-time shelter.
Duran said 12 of the motel’s rooms are habitable. So if the ministry’s idea is approved, it could begin housing homeless people immediately.
More from the report:
One of the groups helping the Ministers of Fire reach their goal is the Salvation Army.
“I think Lebanon needs a shelter, but I think that it needs to be very well organized. We have many resources in Lebanon as far as food banks, clothing places that they can go to, but nothing that is like a home.” said Cindy Carroll, with the Salvation Army.
Duran says that some people in the community may not be for the idea because of a misconception of the homeless.
“Not everybody is an alcoholic, just some people fall through these cracks. They have lost their job and can’t get back on their feet, and they just need a helping hand up, they don’t need a hand out, but just a hand.” said Duran.
Lebanon (population 14,700) currently lacks a homeless shelter.
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program long has advocated for adaptive reuse of old motels such as the Forest Manor if such properties can’t continue to be used for overnight lodging.
I’ve been unable to find any sort of history about the Forest Manor Motel, but its architecture style suggests the 1950s or ’60s.
The Forest Manor Motel sits near a cluster of historic Route 66 properties, including Wrink’s Market, Munger Moss Motel, Starlite Lanes bowling alley, and Taylor’s Dairy Joy restaurant.
(Screen-capture image of the Forest Manor Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, from KSPR-TV video)
I commend you for your efforts. I think you’ll be a huge success. I would be happy to help out. I’m an excellent house painter. I play music and sing
The forest manor has a long history. My grandparents, John and Francis hedges owned back in the 60’s & 70’s. I and my sister lived there during the summer helping them. The camp ground was amazing, the swimming pool is where I learned how to swim. My grandfather did all the work himself. It was a great family business.wrinkly dink store owners were great friends and the restaurant across the street was great. We would bowl at the alley just past the motel. Im driving call in a bit love to buy it and put it back to its luster it once was.