BELFAST – A Christian group plans to convert the former Jed’s Restaurant into a multiuse spiritual outreach center to be called Joel’s Place.

Grace International Corp., based in Ka’a’awa, Hawaii, whose local agent is the Rev. Jim Begley of Midcoast Christian Fellowship, submitted its application to the city’s planning office Thursday.

The proposal calls for locating a thrift shop, bookstore, cafe, chapel, soup kitchen, food pantry, coffee house, school and inn at the former restaurant and motel complex.

“It is a project that is going to impact the entire county,” Begley said Thursday. “We’re really out to meet some of the deep-seated needs of the people of Waldo County. We’re just stepping up to the plate and taking action to help more people in the county.”

Begley said that many of the services planned for Joel’s Place are already being offered in different locations.

He noted that Midcoast Christian Fellowship operates a food pantry and thrift store. It also serves as The Salvation Army’s human resources department for the county.

He said the fellowship has been looking for a place to provide various outreach services under one roof for years.

“We’ve been working on this for a long time, and it’s finally coming together,” he said.

City Planner Wayne Marshall said that because the proposal represents a change of use of the property, some aspects of Joel’s Place will require planning board approval. He said the project would be completed in three phases. The first phase could be completed this winter if the board approves the project, Marshall said.

Phase one will include several nonprofit businesses designed to provide employment and training and to support the ministries of Joel’s Place.

The businesses are: the Heaven Sent Thrift Store, which will be relocated from its current rented location on High Street; the Sign of the Cross Bookstore and Lighted Lamp Cafe; the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen/Food Pantry; and the Chapel.

Phase two will include the Freedom House Inn and Chapel, a residential home for women in a transitional phase from life-controlling problems; Thera-equipment, a medical equipment leasing and lending center; and Coffee-by-Design coffee house, ice cream parlor, and take-out.

Phase three will be the establishment of Joseph’s Coat School, a nondenominational Christian school.

According to the city’s tax records, Jed’s is currently owned by Joel and Cheryl Puorro of Belfast.

For tax purposes, Jed’s and its 1.2-acre lot are valued at $682,600; and Jed’s Motel sits on 1/3 acre and is valued at $189,400. There is also a 2.23-acre undeveloped lot valued at $80,700. With a total value of $952,700, the Jed’s property was taxed $18,577 this year.

Begley said that Grace International is buying the property and that Joel’s Place was named after the Bible Book of Joel, not Puorro. He said he expected many of the uses planned for Joel’s Place to be tax-exempt.

“What the community is going to get back in terms of services will far outweigh any taxes lost,” Begley said.