Homeless Center In the Old Armory Building...Brilliant!

[Bridges]

the armory makes sense as a location.  it's a sturdy building near downtown, and it isn't in the middle ov the neighbourhood--rather, it's right at the edge and quite easy for anyöne who wants to avoid it to do so.  all the complaints i've read about it boil down to people getting their knickers twisted over the idea that they might see a few more homeless people than usual.

Amen!

How do the people that run the mission's in downtown Jacksonville feel about the homeless center. They should have a bigger voice in this debate. http://www.sulzbachercenter.org/ http://www.crmjax.org/ http://www.clarawhitemission.org/Home.aspx

They do not support the Armory location.

[77danj7]

If it's at the armory...I'll still take my kids to the playground and my dog to the park...I'll just be exercising my right to carry a firearm.  No Big Deal.

[If_I_Loved_you]

If it's at the armory...I'll still take my kids to the playground and my dog to the park...I'll just be exercising my right to carry a firearm.  No Big Deal.

God help us. 

[If_I_Loved_you]

I just returned from being in Denver last week. I spent the majority of my time there in the urban core. Talk a bout a city that has gotten it right! They have taken what was once a blighted and rundown city center and turned it into a vibrant, active city center with nightlife, restaurants, entertainment, and my favorite, breweries!

If a city like Denver can do it, so can we. It will take smart planning and visionary leadership.

Placing a homeless day shelter near a renewing neighborhood, on an artery that could become a gateway rather than a pass-through is not only a detriment to these ideas, its just plain short-sighted and stupid.

http://www.tgpdenver.org/homelessnessfaq The Metro Denver Homeless Initiative conducts a point-in-time survey every year to assess the demographics of homelessness in our community. The last survey was taken in January 2012, and found that 12,605 people were homeless in Denver.

[urbanlibertarian]

As Stephen pointed out, having the daycenter far removed from all the other homeless services DT won't work.  If it's not within 10 blocks of the Sulzbacher then we'd need a Homeless Trolley.  Since all the homeless services are already DT I'd say it would be politically impossible to move them anywhere except maybe offshore.  As a DT resident I've accepted the fact that the homeless will be my neighbors as long as I live DT.

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

If it's at the armory...I'll still take my kids to the playground and my dog to the park...I'll just be exercising my right to carry a firearm.  No Big Deal.

oh, right, because guns solve everything, and don't in any way serve to escalate tensions and the potential for violence.

...

and Bridges, i kind ov walked in on the middle ov this debate and missed that the existing downtown shelters don't like the idea--but where/when have they stated this?  i agree that they should have a prominent voice in this.

[77danj7]

If it's at the armory...I'll still take my kids to the playground and my dog to the park...I'll just be exercising my right to carry a firearm.  No Big Deal.

God help us. 

You are right....I'll just politely ask them to leave us alone...that always works

[If_I_Loved_you]

If it's at the armory...I'll still take my kids to the playground and my dog to the park...I'll just be exercising my right to carry a firearm.  No Big Deal.

God help us. 

You are right....I'll just politely ask them to leave us alone...that always works

Good  and most will and if others don't you have a phone call the police.

[John P]

From downtown revitlaization view this does not seem to jive. Other people mentioned this is the busiest street in downtown on a visible intersection. It expands the imprint of downtown homeless services outward into a neighborhood that is emerging. Homeless will crossing 2 virtual highways to get there on foot.

Either you put a new center in a area that does not run into residential and nice parks, like industiral or warehouse like others said or you put it MOST logically where other homeless centers already are. I have driven past Salvation army and Sulsbacher before and they have expanisve unsed lots around them. What is cost of fixing the reported flooding, mold, roof leaks, and maintenaince of a 80000 square foot 100 year building versus cinder block new construction on a empty lot?

[CityLife]

Since this thread has gotten somewhat derailed...Here is something of substance. This is supposedly the city employee who is in charge of getting the new day center up and running for the city.

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/tillis-q-devaughn/5/471/140

I'm sure the guy is a dynamite networker, salesperson, and bullshitter, but nothing on his bio/work history/education tells me he would have any f'n clue what he's doing here...

Get it together Mayor Brown.

[johnnyman]

I have worked as a volunteer at homeless centers in Austin and Houston and  in my experience these are not just vets just down on their luck or single moms needing help.  A measurable percentage of the homeless that I have worked with in these other cities were  people with some very serious issues.  Some even aggressive and some even predatory, severe drug addicts many with multiple felony convictions.  Many of the ones that they worked with had serious mental issues that range across the board and many of those do not take their medications.  This was always a problem for the counselors who worked at the centers to get them back on their meds.  Many of the ones they worked with ultimately ended  back in jail/prison.  This was not indicative to everyone at the centers but it was definitely a measurable portion.  Both Austin and Houston have moved their homeless centers to suitable venues in the city so as not to disturb the tourist, downtown industries like 6th Street/Town Lake in Austin and Downtown/Theatre district in Houston.

I am just not sure having this element near places where children frequent regularly is such a great idea.  I don't have kids but if I did , based on my experience, would probably avoid that area until I knew how things were going. 

I would think there must be a more logical place to put this facility.

[Debbie Thompson]

On First Coast News, the reporter held up pages, and said they were considering nine sites.  Earlier, I heard four.  Where did the other five come from?  And where are the other sites?  It looks like FCN has the list but it's not in the story on their website.

[JaxByDefault]

Debbie, I just found the list on the TU's website. The nine sites are:

1. Armory 851 N Market Street 80,862 SF 88,200 SF City owned
2. Genover’s Hall 644 W Ashley Street 5,340 (unfinished) 11025 SF City owned
3. Vacant Church/Bldg (Talleyrand) 639 Talleyrand Avenue 5,992 (two buildings) 15015 SF Not City-owned
4. Behind City Rescue Mission 234 W State Street 19,170 40424 SF Not city-owned
5. Property behind Salvation Army 905 Forsyth Street 7,370 11025 SF City owned
6. Former Pub Bldg Office #1 928 N Liberty Street 7,113 SF 120,000 SF City owned
7. Former Pub Bldg Office #2 928 N Liberty Street 9,002 SF 120,000 SF City owned
8. Former Pub Bldg Office #3 928 N Liberty Street 5,788 SF 120,000 SF City owned
9. Miller Machinery 601 East Church Street building demolished 43629 SF Not city-owned



http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-10-17/story/cost-will-be-big-factor-jacksonvilles-selection-homeless-day-center-site

[Pinky]

the armory makes sense as a location.  it's a sturdy building near downtown, and it isn't in the middle ov the neighbourhood--rather, it's right at the edge and quite easy for anyöne who wants to avoid it to do so.  all the complaints i've read about it boil down to people getting their knickers twisted over the idea that they might see a few more homeless people than usual.

Exactly.  Pack of NIMBYs; y'all should move to Avondale and battle the Evil Forces Of Pizza. 

[thelakelander]

After reading the FTU article, the armory really doesn't make any sense.  The only thing going for it is that its city owned, like the majority of the lots on the list.  Other than that, its on a gateway corridor, next to a children's playground, too large, and expensive.  Not exactly the best for the purposes of a day center.