DALTON, Ga. — The huge industrial building at the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Morris Street had been for sale for years and had no takers.

“But we have made a commitment to come in and use that building and renovate it and improve its appearance,” said City of Refuge Director Pamela Cudd Monday night at a work session of the Dalton City Council.

The building, and the 2.3 acres it sits on, were donated by Shaw Industries to City of Refuge, which was founded in 1995 and provides services to the homeless and low-income families — including transitional housing, a food pantry, a clothing store, education and mentoring programs for both children and adults, and hot meals — at a location on Bryant Street on the south end of Dalton.

Cudd says the Morris Street site would allow the organization to expand. But first, the City Council must rezone the site to transitional commercial from heavy manufacturing. Council members tabled a request for the rezoning at their June 5 meeting, saying they wanted to get more input from the public. At the work session on Monday, more than 100 people filled the council chambers at City Hall to show their support for City of Refuge and for its plans for the building.

Mayor Dennis Mock said at the start of the work session that council members realize the value of the services that City of Refuge offers.

“The mayor and council fully support and embrace the needed programs City of Refuge provides,” he said.

But Mock said council members must also look at the broader picture. Council members have said they want to be sure the organization’s plans won’t have a negative impact on the nearby downtown business district.

Debby Peppers told council members that City of Refuge not only provides valuable services but its plans for the building would improve the appearance of the neighborhood.

“That building is empty. It is blighted, and they intend to renovate it,” Peppers said.

Cudd assured council members she would not do anything that would hurt downtown business owners or harm their sales. In particular, she said the facility would not have people loitering around it and neighboring properties.

“That does not happen on our current campus, and it will not happen here,” she said.

Cudd said City of Refuge does not operate a traditional homeless shelter but does provide some transitional housing for families. She said most of its clients are women and children.

“We provide transportation for 90 percent of the people who come in,” she said. “We bring them in. They receive their services, and we take them home.”

Council member Denise Wood said after listening to Cudd some of her concerns were alleviated.

“I feel better,” she said. “As a mother and a grandmother, I realize we have a lack of services for mothers with children. But I want to learn more, and I plan to meet with Pam to find out more about the details of their plans.”

Mock asked if anyone wished to speak against the plans for the building. No one did. But Allison Whittle said she could “see both sides of the issue.”

“This is a big project for City of Refuge to take on, and I’d like to learn more about it,” she said.

Marjorie Mitchell, a Dalton designer who is working with City of Refuge to refurbish the building, said she’d be willing to talk to anyone about the plans for the site.

Cudd asked council members to move quickly on the rezoning. Mock did not set a timetable for a vote but did say council members will follow up soon with any additional questions for her.