A District Court judge in Denver has reversed a ruling, paving the way for a new homeless community center to open in the Ballpark neighborhood.

Opening of the Denver Rescue Mission’s Lawrence Street Community Center was denied Sept. 3 when Judge R. Michael Mullins ruled in favor of the Ballpark Neighborhood Association.

The association had sued the city and the rescue mission, claiming the building was an expansion of the men’s overnight shelter and therefore improperly zoned.

The court issued a new order Tuesday in response to a motion of reconsideration by the defendants — the rescue mission and the city.

The court initially found the center was an “improper expansion” of the shelter based, in part, on briefs submitted in the case.

“However, after hearing oral argument from the parties, as well as the parties supplemental briefing on the Motion for Reconsideration, the defendants provided information … based on competent evidence in the record,” according to Tuesday’s order.

“At oral argument, the Defendant DRM explained the Center and the Shelter were in fact two distinctly separate buildings on two distinct lots,” the order said. “However, in the briefs of the parties, there was no clear explanation that the buildings were in fact completely separate.”

The rescue mission will not place any additional beds in the community center and will not house additional residents, according to the ruling.

“Accordingly, Defendants motions for reconsideration are granted,” Mullins ruled. The order issued Sept. 3 is vacated.

The city issued a statement Tuesday night saying the reversal will afford homeless people with “critical service for daytime use.”

“When we committed to creating the Lawrence Street Community Center, it was a promise to provide a safe, dignified place for those in need of basic services and to wait for assistance at the Rescue Mission,” said Mayor Michael Hancock.

“I’m very pleased with the judge’s ruling, as it means we can get this vital service back on track to opening before the winter months are upon us.”

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit will meet and decide how to proceed, said Dennis Ryerson, an association spokesman.

“Our main interest is ensuring that the homeless population in our neighborhood is not expanded,” Ryerson said.

“We are not interested in closing any of the missions that are here now; we want to make sure the largest concentration of homeless people in the metro area isn’t expanded beyond what it is now.”

The association will continue to encourage the city to “disperse services” and “assure there are good solutions,” Ryerson said.

Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822, knicholson@denverpost.com or @kierannicholson