By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorA new youth center is now open in Warrenton.Warrenton aldermen last Tuesday approved a site plan and conditional use permit for Jordan’s Place, located at 202 E. Main St. The space was formerly occupied by Advance Beauty College and most recently the Warren County Health Department’s fitness center.The youth facility is geared toward ages 14-19 and will provide numerous activities for teens to participate in, including pool, pinpong, foosball, snack bar and lounge area. Other services that will be offered are support groups, counseling and tutoring.The center is open from 3-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 3-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Jordan’s Place, a nonprofit organization, is named after 17-year-old Jordan Lunsford, who died late last year from a drug overdose. Manned by all volunteers, the facility aims to provide a positive gathering space to visit and to raise awareness about drug abuse, bullying, teen pregnancy and other challenges faced by teens.At the July 21 board of aldermen meeting, Mary Bracht spoke out against the conditional use permit. She owns three buildings on Main Street, one of which is adjacent to the youth center. While she had no objection to Jordan’s Place, she felt the facility does not belong on Main Street.“My concern is any time you see kids loitering, it’s a negative thing,” Bracht said. “When they are outside congregating, it’s a negative thing. I am trying to rent buildings downtown.”Cathy Pritchett, a co-founder for Jordan’s Place, said other properties were considered, but the Main Street location was centrally located and within walking distance for visitors.“There wasn’t a lot of options, but this was the best option,” she said. “From the very beginning, our vision was Main Street.”It also was noted that founders of Jordan’s Place had approached Bracht about one of her vacant buildings, but she didn’t feel they had a stable funding source.At last Tuesday’s meeting, the board voted 4-0 to approve the site plan, and 3-1, with Gary Auch opposing, to issue the conditional use permit.Ward 2 Alderman Toni Hawley abstained from both votes because she had missed the public hearing held at the start of the meeting. Ward 1 Alderman Karen Casserly was absent.The city’s planning and zoning commission recommended approval of both the site plan and conditional use permit at its July 2 meeting.A ribbon cutting was held Saturday, July 25, to celebrate the opening of Jordan’s Place, a youth center located at 202 E. Main in Warrenton. The facility is geared toward ages 14-19 and will provide numerous activities for teens to participate in, including pool, pinpong, foosball, snack bar and lounge area. Other services that will be offered are support groups, counseling and tutoring. Bill Barrett photo.
