AUSTIN

The City Council’s decision to purchase the former Salvation Army 130-bed shelter shelter at 501 East 8th Street will cost $15 million.  The purchase will allow the city to keep operations going long-term.  The Salvation Army closed the shelter back in April.  Urban Alchemy, which operates ARCH (Austin Resource Center for the Homeless) next door, was the contracted manager of the shelter at the time it was open and is expected to resume that role.