A recent letter of mine was published in the San Diego Union regarding the homeless situation in downtown San Diego as follows:
Letters: Give homeless – and homeowners – a break
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 12:02 a.m.
How can business people actually believe that having the homeless on the streets of San Diego with all their possessions stashed on the sidewalk is preferable to having them in buildings like the World Trade Center (“Protesters pull off delay in plan for downtown homeless center,” April 22)? As a former downtown condo owner, I didn’t look forward to walking around or over feces and urine when I went for a walk.
I am totally in favor of giving the homeless a place to live and basic services (I’d prefer my tax money to be used for humanitarian purposes rather than war), but it also is a disservice to downtown residents who bought fancy condos to have to deal with the homeless instead of enjoying a classy downtown neighborhood. Residents of New York City or almost any European city can look forward to a pleasant sidewalk stroll without having to contemplate the tawdriness of destitute people panhandling or going to the bathroom on the sidewalks. Having a place to stash their stuff and go to the bathroom is not a threat to downtown businessmen.
If San Diego wants to be a high-class city, it better deal with the homeless population in a way that not only benefits them but also gives the downtown residents a break.
JOHN LAWRENCE
San Diego
Here's the original article:
Protesters delay downtown homeless center
Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 1:32 a.m.
A $31 million proposal to convert the World Trade Center in downtown San Diego into a permanent homeless center for up to 225 people was delayed by the City Council’s housing committee Wednesday after business and property owners protested.
Opponents were outnumbered by supporters during the public hearing at City Hall, but they were just as vocal.
“I like the concept but I don’t like it in this location,” said Tim Cowden, a commercial real estate broker. He said the proposed facility on Sixth Avenue would make it difficult to lease space in the city’s financial district. “You’ll essentially make it into a ghost town,” he said.
The World Trade Center building currently houses city offices and private tenants. It is surrounded by bank buildings and office high-rises. The proposal calls for a facility that would accommodate up to 225 homeless people on the upper floors. Of those, 150 would be given interim housing for up to two years, and 75 would be placed in permanent studio units. The proposed 14-story facility could open by late 2012.
Jack Gambrell, who owns the Sixth Avenue Bistro, said he worries about scaring away customers. “I understand your goal but this is where I make my living for my family as well,” he said. The San Diego chapter of the Building Owners and Managers Association sought more time for discussion.
The Land Use and Housing Committee voted 4-0 to wait 90 days to decide whether to send the proposal to the City Council.
“We shouldn’t speak as if this is a done deal. It should be a dialogue,” Councilman Tony Young said.
Councilman Todd Gloria, the committee’s chairman, said he had wanted to see the plan reach the council sooner to avoid delays.
At the request of Councilman Kevin Faulconer, the panel directed the developers of the project to meet with downtown community members and address their concerns.
Supporters said the center is not intended to meet all the housing needs of the homeless. But “this will serve as a role model for others to follow,” said Doug Sawyer, president of United Way of San Diego. Other project supporters include faith-based, medical and charity groups and homeless advocates.
“The location is good, if it’s structured and not just a flophouse,” Izean Rim, who is homeless.
According to a 2009 survey, 4,338 people were homeless in San Diego, including 800 in downtown, but the city had only 2,359 year-round shelter beds.
A city task force led by the San Diego Housing Commission last week identified the World Trade Center as a possible site for a permanent shelter and as an alternative to temporary winter shelters. It recommended Los Angeles-based People Assisting the Homeless be used to operate the facility, San Diego-based Affirmed Housing Group to build it and Family Health Center of San Diego to run a full-service on-site clinic. That partnership was selected over another led by Father Joe’s Villages, which proposed new construction on Commercial Street.
Joel John Roberts, chief executive director of PATH Partners, said his group just learned that its proposal would be seriously considered and said it plans to conduct extensive outreach.
Leonel Sanchez: (619) 542-4568; [email protected]
