Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick and the Township Council are taking decisive action to stop the opening of a proposed homeless shelter in the heart of downtown by pursuing the acquisition of Christ Episcopal Church — through purchase or eminent domain — after the church filed plans to operate a 17-bed facility at 415 Washington Street.

The mayor and a clear majority of residents have voiced strong opposition to the shelter proposal, citing concerns about safety, quality of life, and the over-concentration of homeless services in the downtown area.

“The church wants to put a homeless shelter there — we want to put a playground,” Rodrick said. He instead proposes converting the property into a public recreation facility with a playground, skatepark, and pickleball courts — much-needed amenities for the 20,000 residents living in the area.

Rodrick has emphasized that the township has a legal right to acquire the property:

“I can take it if I pay. What can be litigated is the price,” Rodrick said.

The church property, which is not for sale, is currently valued at around $2.5 million. Church officials have not commented publicly on the matter.

Just Believe Inc., a nonprofit that had previously partnered with the township to operate a winter homeless shelter at Riverwood Park, had its agreement terminated earlier in Rodrick’s term. In response, the Ocean County Commissioners proposed opening a seasonal homeless shelter along Route 9 to serve individuals during the winter months.

Rodrick has also drawn criticism from advocates for shutting down local homeless encampments and voicing concerns about other services, such as the JBJ Soul Foundation’s pop-up kitchen, which he argues have contributed to a growing and unregulated homeless presence in the downtown area.

The ordinance to authorize the property acquisition will be discussed at a public Township Council meeting on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. at Toms River Town Hall.