02/03/04   Harry Hines Site for Homeless Shelter

Monday night, City Councilman John Loza attended a community meeting at Grwyler Recreation Center on Harry Hines for about 20 minutes.  Before he left, I asked him, "What is your position about the city putting the Homeless Shelter on Harry Hines?"  It's just outside his district. 

Below are my notes on what he said, plus information from the DMN on this matter.

Loza said the city is considering three locations for the Homeless Shelter that will be open 24 hours, seven days a week.  It will offer restrooms, showers, laundry, drug and alcohol counseling, mental health services, child care, computer access, lockers and other services.  There will also be job training. 

The three locations being considered are:

1.    A $1.5 million, 3.3-acre property near downtown at 1610 Malcolm X Blvd. It has a  62,000 sq. ft bldg. that would need to be torn down and replaced.  The neighborhood nearby does not want it.

DMN quotes James Waghorne, president of the Dallas Homeless Neighborhood Assoc., that his group had collected signatures asking for the location they wanted (Of those who voted, 288 chose the Industrial Blvd location, 88 picked Malcolm X and 33 wanted Harry Hines.

2.   A parking lot at 257 S. Industrial Blvd. next to Lew Sterrett Justice Center.  Regarding this property, Councilman Loza says it is too close to our city jail.  Jails are not to be substitute shelter's to house the homeless.  Therefore, this is not a good location. 

I think the truth is that it is TOO close to downtown, and would defeat their purpose of cleaning up downtown.

3.    The former rehabilitation facility at 9702-9713 Harry Hines Blvd. with 14-acres and a 183,112 sq. ft bldg. equipped with hospital beds.  It is next to a creek with many tree's nearby. 

I think they want this site because of the building and area where the city has promised tents for those street people who do not want to live indoors. (Just what Dallas needs for visitors to see from I-35).

Loza said that the city has $3 million that voters approved in the May Bond election for a Homeless Shelter.  City Hall feels strongly about the importance of getting rid of all the homeless downtown.  He said removing the homeless is the only way downtown will be revitalized and look clean. 

His attitude is why I fear the Harry Hines site is Council's preferred site because it is 8.4 miles from City Hall -- too far for them to walk daily back downtown. 

Instead, the problem will be ours when they roam our streets. It does not look good around City Hall with lots of street people congregating for food.  Recently, a police officer told me the homeless get a bus ticket only to the shelter.  They do not get one to go elsewhere.

At the end, Loza said something alarming.  He said, "I would not say that I am against the Harry Hines location.  I need to get more information." 

What more information does he need?  All who live or own businesses in NW Dallas do not want this on Harry HInes.  We realize no one wants the street people near their homes.  Guess, NW Dallas residents' wants don't matter.  After all, we should just pay taxes and not have an opinion.

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I am amazed how we can vote for people we think are good, honorable and honest, who will protect the community they serve only to have them change once they are elected.
   
There's a rumor that a contract may already be in the works and City Hall is just going through the process of appearing like they have not decided. 

As of Monday evening, no one at City Hall has contacted one of the many Homeowner Groups in NW Dallas to have a TownHall meeting to discuss this matter that will affect us all.  This is something that we need to demand. 

This location will destroy the way of life for the families with children who live a few blocks away.  It will also hurt the revitalization planned for that area once DART builds a station nearby. 

Some drunk or drug addict will fall and drown at the creek next to this location.  Walking around the area is extremely dangerous with the intersection at Harry Hines and Webb Chapel.  It is dangerous for motorists and worse for anyone walking. 

I voted for and have always supported the Mayor.  As the smart person she is, I hope she realizes it will take more then removing the street people from downtown to make Dallas an attractive place to live in and visit.  It will be interesting to see where she stands on this. 

The only good thing I heard tonight was when the head of the Park & Recreation said that a new school will be built at Walnut Hill and Webb Chapel.  The park at this location will be the playground of this future elementary school. 

Please attend the meeting at City Hall tonight (all the information is below).

             Mary Lou Montes Zijderveld

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                        Meetings Tuesday, February 3, 2004

Mayor's Homeless Providers  TownHall Meeting from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at City Hall
                            Location of meeting is at L1 North Auditorium

Health, Environment and Human Services Council Committee  TownHall Meeting -
                           Topic is: Discussion of Locations of Homeless Assistance Center
                            7:00-9:00 p.m. City Hall, Council Chambers