Tuesday Health and Human Needs got an update on the day center, I wasn’t there, but this is what I learned . . . so far . . .
– The county received a preliminary design plan from the Dorschner architect who has been assisting the county with the day center. The design requires some compromises due to the limitations of the space and the excellent location of the property. It is unclear whether the architect was given cost limitations.
– On Friday, the county will be doing a walk-through with public works staff to figure out what the costs will be and complete the feasibility study.
– They expect to have all the info compiled and provided to policy makers within 2 weeks so a decision can be made about whether and how to go forward.
– The prelim design:
– – does not include a space for families
– – only it has two showers
– – is limited personal storage space
– – only has warming shelter seating for 25 people (huh! seating for 125 people is pushing it!)
– They think that the historic district location is an additional possible barrier to space (landmarks commission must approve exterior changes).
– None of the three other buildings (the houses, including the one 6 inches away that is not under lease) are incorporated into the design plan.
– They won’t show people the design, they want to wait to distribute until the information is more complete.
– There were questions about the design plan being limited because of the low level of operating funds allocated (and thus few staff). Lynn Green indicated that “I work with what you give me” but they are currently working with the Shine608 budget from 2 years ago which was limited by the RFP. Additional (or re-directed) resources are likely needed to make the Bellini site the day center that accomplishes all the goals and to make it comprehensive. The prior commitment to operating funds for a day resource center was the result of a three way partnership of the City, County, and United Way. It was first budgeted for 2014 and was for one-half year ($50k each) with the expectation that each partner would annualize (double) the funding in future years.
– We will know more about capital costs after the walk-through on Friday and public works weighs in. There is $2.56M budgeted in capital. The listing price is $1.3, but is assessed quite a bit lower that that.
– They are still pursuing a CUP at Martin St, but given the Town’s resistance and burdensome conditions previously imposed, that outcome is uncertain and unreasonable (if the county were to agree to the conditions they previously set).
– The City-County Homeless Issues Committee will be discussing both the City and County Budget, the day center, the bench ordinance and Zero 2016 at their meeting next Tuesday.
