BEVERLY - The public will get its first chance to see the renovated River House homeless shelter tomorrow.

An open house is scheduled for 9 a.m. to celebrate the $500,000 worth of improvements that have been made to the shelter.

"The building looks beautiful," said John Archer, vice president of River House Homeless Shelter Inc., the nonprofit group that runs the shelter. "We literally put $500,000 in state money into the building."

River House received a $500,000 state grant because it promised to build five single-occupany rooms. The rooms fit in with the philosophy of addressing homelessness by helping people to eventually live on their own.

The five rooms are located on the second floor. The shelter will also include 24 beds on the first floor.
Archer said tomorrow's ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled to include Congressman John Tierney, Senate Majority Leader Fred Berry, state Rep. Mary Grant and Mayor Bill Scanlon. The public is invited.

River House is located at 56 River St., behind the train depot.