The Legends Center on Soutel Drive will house people nightly from Monday at 9 p.m. to Friday morning at 9 a.m.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — With a cold front expected to chill the First Coast for much of the week, the City of Jacksonville is activating its Warming Center Contingency plan for four nights straight.
After a near-record warm day Sunday, temperatures will swing swiftly downward into the 20s Monday morning.
The city will open the Legends Center overnight beginning Monday for people in need of shelter and provide transportation there through JTA buses whenever temperatures hit 27 degrees or lower.
The center, located at 5130 Soutel Dr., will be open nightly from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. on Friday. JTA buses will provide rides to the shelter, which will be staffed and have water available on-site.
Only service animals will be allowed in the center.
Residents using the warming center are asked to bring the following items, if desired:
- Air mattress, blankets, pillows, or other bedding
- Snacks and medication
- Games, toys, and books
- Hygiene and comfort items
All libraries and city community centers will also serve as daytime warming centers during regular business hours.
Outside of the Legends Center, the city’s nonprofit partners will provide cold-weather shelter services to those experiencing homelessness:
- City Rescue Mission, 234 W. State St.
- Mission House, 465 11th Ave., with overnight operations at St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal, 1150 5th St.
- Sulzbacher Center
- 611 East Adams St. – Men
- 5455 Springfield Blvd. – Women and children
- Trinity Rescue Mission, 622 W. Union St.
Waycross, Georgia
In response to the cold front, the City of Waycross is halting all city-run utility cutoffs for the week and offering shelter inside the police department courtroom.
City Manager Ulysses Rayford advises any residents without power to contact their service provider quickly and directly.