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September 01, 2005
Refugees will be coming here.
Look at this article from today's Anniston Star
Officials: McClellan will be used to house evacuees
By Brian Lyman
Star Staff Writer
09-01-2005, 12:18 p.m.
After a whirlwind series of moves by Anniston officials, Alabama Gov. Bob Riley and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have decided the former military police barracks, or "starships," at McClellan will accept refugees from the hurricane-devastated areas.
A "strike team" from FEMA was headed to McClellan on Thursday morning to assess the buildings and determine the extent of work needed to prepare for an estimated 1,000 people. Scott Bradshaw, property manager for the Joint Powers Authority, which oversees McClellan, said contractors were turning on water and electrical hook-ups in the building. The work will continue through the Labor Day weekend.
No date has been set for the opening of the building; Bradshaw said the weekend work will determine when refugees can arrive.
Riley toured the building Thursday morning with Anniston mayor Chip Howell and other officials. Anniston, he said, was the first community to offer a building to house refugees. As many as 10,000 people may need shelter in Alabama.
"We’re looking everywhere," Riley said. "We’re looking at individual residences. But there are very few places that are as unique as what we have here."
Posted by Chris at September 1, 2005 09:42 PM