“We just want to make sure there are some rules in place and there’s accountability,” said Cynthia Powers, chair of Maplewood.
She said her neighbors are wondering what’s going to happen if there are issues at the day center and how issues will be addressed in a timely manner. Neighbors are worried that an already troubled area will get worse.
“We’re told the police will patrol and that kind of stuff, but we don’t have enough police,” Powers said.
She said it’s great that people will be able to visit the day center and use its services, but neighbors are concerned about what will happen at night after it closes.
Some of the city’s commitments include:
• No camping will be allowed on site.
• A security company will monitor the site after hours.
• Police will have an office available inside the day center.
• The city will replace existing street lighting along East 20th, Y and Z streets.
• Trash containers will be located inside and outside the building.
The good neighbor commitment has been presented to the Maplewood, Rose Village, Harney Heights, Central Park and Fourth Plain Village neighborhood associations. Sheehan is gathering feedback from the associations that will be presented to Vancouver City Council before the day center opens this fall.
The Harney Heights neighborhood association formally supported the day center relocating to 2018 Grand Blvd., which was shared during public testimony.
“We really hope it becomes more of a community center than the stigmatic homeless day center” and includes other social services, Prothero said.
Last year the day center, which is operated by homeless service provider Share, assisted 952 people. Of those, 160 got help with employment and 102 were helped in finding housing.