Charlotte men's homeless shelter reopens after $5.8M renovation

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More than 200 men will move back into a new and improved home after the Men's Shelter of Charlotte reopens its North Tryon Street location on Thursday.

After months of renovations, the shelter director hopes the updated building will give the vulnerable men who need a place to stay a fresh start.

[RELATED: Renovation plan means Charlotte men's homeless shelter won't be moving]

The renovations are part of the city’s plan to make the North Tryon corridor more family friendly.

In the 1950s, the building was an old plumbing supply building.

The shelter will now have room for about 230 men a night, which is about three dozen more than the building used to house.

With additions like more windows and trees, many of the updates are aimed at giving the men a brighter outlook.

There is also a park and more privacy in the bathrooms.

The $5.8 million renovation lasted four months and was funded by the city and generous partners in the community.

The project drew some controversy because some people wanted the shelter to move.

Nearby business owners were worried that the stigma of homelessness would impact the revitalization plans for the North Tryon corridor.

However, the city decided to keep the shelter in place because they said those dreams for the community are also shared by the men who are staying at the shelter.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Report: Man with NC ties confesses to killing wife, 2 daughters in Colorado
• Iredell County middle school teacher accused of statutory rape
• Sheriff: 'Violent thug' shot deputy in 'senseless attack on law enforcement'
• WATCH: Keith Monday's Thursday forecast outlook
• CMPD searching for partially paralyzed man who wandered away from home

Cox Media Group