Mayor Alvin Brown made a surprise visit to the Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council annual meeting to address a project to open a resource center for homeless people.

Brown told the council and residents he has made no recommendation for a location, and the former armory on North Market Street will not be considered.

There is a move by some to avoid downtown and build a day shelter far away from it.

“As mayor, I will not support a resource center at the Armory,” Brown said at Thursday night’s meeting. “Neither I nor the Emergency Services & Homeless Coalition of Northeast Florida have recommended any location."

No money has been committed to the project. The staff is looking for a place that up to 400 people could use just during the day, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for showers, mail and other services. There would be no beds.

Mayor Brown originally hoped there would be a day shelter open by the first of next year.

The city said they will continue a "transparent and inclusive process to consider and recommend a location for the resource center."

Brown encouraged non-profit providers, the private sector and residents to continue offering ideas and suggestions on a location and services.

“Our work has been inclusive and transparent, and it will continue to be,” Mayor Brown said.