The Clark County council will consider on Tuesday a proposal that could limit who — and why — people can enter the county’s Public Service Center.
If approved, the policy will limit the use of the building at 1300 Franklin St. in downtown Vancouver to county business only. Most of the county’s main functions — such as community development, the assessor’s and treasurer’s offices and the County Council offices — are housed in the six-floor building. The city of Vancouver has a similar policy.
Skeptics of the plan say it will remove a place where homeless people can use the restroom and clean up if they need to. The courtyard in front of the building, which will remain a public space if the policy passes, is often a gathering place for Vancouver’s homeless population.
Under existing policy, Acting County Manager Mark McCauley said people often loiter and sleep in the building. At times, county staff members have found used hypodermic needles in the bathrooms or in couches.
“This is a public building, and it’s to conduct the business of the public,” McCauley said. “It’s not a lounge, it’s not a day center, and so we’re taking this action so we can invite people to depart the building if they don’t have business here.”
McCauley also said the county won’t be tough with the policy until the planned day shelter at the Friends of the Carpenter building on 1600 W. 20th St. opens. The county and city are working together to fund day-to-day operations at the shelter, which will include bathrooms, showers and places where people can charge their phones.
“We’re going to be compassionate in using this declaration,” McCauley said. “It depends on the conduct of the individual.”
But Andy Silver, executive director of the Council for the Homeless, was concerned that the policy will just limit options for those who are homeless. He praised the county for its work on a day shelter, but said there need to be other options.
“The overarching issue in our community right now in terms of homelessness is people just don’t have a place to be,” Silver said. “In the meantime, people have to do all the same life functions that everyone has to do.”
John Seevers is one of those people who relies on the county restrooms. His coffee in hand, sleeping bag strapped to his back, Seevers was leaving the county building on Thursday. Seevers has been homeless for seven years.
The Public Service Center is one of the only places where Seevers can use the restroom, he said. His backpack, he said, makes him a huge target when he walks into private businesses.
“They can’t do that unless they change the name,” Seevers said, referring to the word “Public” in “Public Service Center.” “Until they take that sign down, it’s free to everyone.”
The council is scheduled to vote on the policy at its 6 p.m. meeting Tuesday.
