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

[thelakelander]

And I have a Major Problem with a homeless center going into the Dennis street area  or any warehouse area of Jacksonville!

Is that why you don't like the Salvation Army site on West Forsyth?  Because it's in what's left of the LaVilla Warehouse District.  Should Salvation Army relocate too?

No see I don't have a problem with this you do? But hiding the Homeless like it's going to help people that need help to me is just plain stupid. 

What problem do I have?  I'm fine with the Salvation Army site.  It makes a lot of sense, given what the adjacent property is currently used for.  However, the armory site was silly for a number of reasons, already stated, including it being the most expensive option.

[sheclown]

Lake would the zoning support it at the Salvation Army site (Old Lee and Cates)?

[Bill Hoff]

The Armory will not be the location. Far too many issues. You can cross that one out.

928 N. Liberty Street is next to the Armory, closer to residential, stll across the street from new parks and childrens playground., and still widens the footprint of mass homeless services into a revitalizing neighborhood. Three buildings at this address are being considered individually.

[thelakelander]

Lake would the zoning support it at the Salvation Army site (Old Lee and Cates)?

The site's zoning is CCG-2.  The use is permissible by exception.

[strider]

Lake would the zoning support it at the Salvation Army site (Old Lee and Cates)?

The site's zoning is CCG-2.  The use is permissible by exception.

I suspect the fact that the Armory will not require an exception is part of the reason it is seriously being considered, assuming it is not a done deal, of course.  Remember that an exception application will open it up for public input and some group will be against it no matter where it is.

[strider]

The Armory will not be the location. Far too many issues. You can cross that one out.

Hmmm.  Inside info to prove this or just a hopeful post?  'cause the inside info seems to have been sayin' the opposite...

[Debbie Thompson]

Then reasonable people will have to rule the day.  The drop in center is needed.  The Lee and Cates warehouse location makes the most sense to serve both the homeless AND not cause detriment to Springfield. 

[thelakelander]

Lake would the zoning support it at the Salvation Army site (Old Lee and Cates)?

The site's zoning is CCG-2.  The use is permissible by exception.

I suspect the fact that the Armory will not require an exception is part of the reason it is seriously being considered, assuming it is not a done deal, of course.  Remember that an exception application will open it up for public input and some group will be against it no matter where it is.

I can't imagine that applying for an exception would be more difficult than coming up with nearly $10 million in renovation costs for a structure that appears to be significantly larger than the space required for a day center. 

[CityLife]

Live blogging from the SPAR annual meeting. Mayor Brown just walked into a hornets nest and told the room of about 50 that the shelter wouldn't be in Springfield.

I give him a lot of credit for stepping up and being responsive to the public.

[thelakelander]

Nice of the Mayor to attend the meeting.

[thelakelander]

Just came into my Metro Jacksonville email account:

MAYOR BROWN ADDRESSES HOMELESS RESOURCE CENTER

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 18, 2012 â€"

Mayor Alvin Brown made a surprise visit to the Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council annual meeting to address his commitment to a pilot project to open a resource center for homeless people.

Mayor Brown told the council and residents he has made no recommendation for a location, and the former Armory, 815 N. Market St., will not be considered.


"As mayor, I will not support a resource center at the Armory," Mayor Brown said at Thursday night’s meeting. "Neither I nor the Emergency Services & Homeless Coalition of Northeast Florida have recommended any location."

Mayor Brown committed to supporting the opening of a day-time resource center for the homeless as a pilot project. The center would provide opportunities for services to help transient people as part of the mayor’s ongoing commitment to improve the quality of life in Jacksonville.

The six-month pilot project would operate the resource center three days a week, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., providing essential services but no beds.

The city will continue a transparent and inclusive process to consider and recommend a location for the resource center. Throughout the year, the administration has worked with non-profit providers, the Sheriff’s Office, the State Attorney’s Office, and other groups to consider suggested locations and services.

Mayor Brown encouraged non-profit providers, the private sector and residents to continue offering ideas and suggestions on a location and services.


"Our work has been inclusive and transparent, and it will continue to be," Mayor Brown said.

Mayor Brown is committed to elevating the city’s urban core and protecting quality of life as part of his efforts to reinvigorate Downtown for the benefit of all residents.

[If_I_Loved_you]

Word on the street is that Mayor Brown is considering opening a homeless center in the historic
Armory Building on the border of Downtown and Springfield. This building is city owned and is adjacent to Confederate/Klutho Park, which should be the crown jewel of Jacksonville's urban park system (we have a lovely vision plan for the park). For those that don't know, the Armory Building is the brick building next to the Dog Park. Can someone please post a picture?

Thoughts? I'll bite my tongue for now...

Funny if you wouldn't have open this post with your Rumor? And waited until the Facts came out we wouldn't have wasted are voices on this false rumor?

[sheclown]

How wonderful for the mayor to do this!!!!

[CityLife]

Word on the street is that Mayor Brown is considering opening a homeless center in the historic
Armory Building on the border of Downtown and Springfield. This building is city owned and is adjacent to Confederate/Klutho Park, which should be the crown jewel of Jacksonville's urban park system (we have a lovely vision plan for the park). For those that don't know, the Armory Building is the brick building next to the Dog Park. Can someone please post a picture?

Thoughts? I'll bite my tongue for now...

Funny if you wouldn't have open this post with your Rumor? And waited until the Facts came out we wouldn't have wasted are voices on this false rumor?

The Mayor and his staff were absolutely considering that site, but after getting bombarded, they have now reconsidered.
The TU wouldn't have ran articles and the Mayor wouldn't have come apologized to a room full of Springfielders tonight if that wasn't the case.

[thelakelander]

Speaking of the armory though, any ideas of what to do with it?