HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-02-19 Public Comment - M. Schrunk - HRDC Warming Center SiteFrom:Melanie Schrunk
To:Sarah Rosenberg; Agenda
Subject:HDRC Homeless Shelter on Westridge Drive
Date:Saturday, November 02, 2019 5:07:58 PM
Hello-
I am writing to vehemently oppose the proposed homeless shelter on Westridge Drive.
While I understand we need to help our fellow disadvantaged citizens, the location of this shelter is completely
disrespectful to residents. The proximity of this shelter to schools and neighborhoods full of children is a risk we
cannot take. A risk that will most definitely bring down property values, increase crime, increased accidents as more
people will be walking along the dark roads, most without sidewalks, to other destinations. The proposed location
will bring a different element that may include drugs, alcohol and mental illness on a rather large scale.
The city is already seeing a growing homeless population and by placing a shelter in a R-1 zoned neighborhood, a
neighborhood I might add, that already fought for the R-1 designation a few years back, puts many residents at risk.
How do you plan to protect the residents when they encounter issues from people at the shelter? Harassment,
begging, drugs, litter, crime, and mental illness will surely become a big issues. More police will have to be
dispatched. Have you allocated the funds for more police? Elementary and middle school aged children are
constantly coming in and out of the area. They will no longer be free to walk or bike as they please. What about the
MSU students that walk or bike, and residents who will now walk their dogs past this proposed shelter daily? Plus,
what makes you think the homeless will stay only in the designated shelter? They will most certainly wander,
looking for other opportunities, endangering residents.
I implore you to rethink this decision and do your job to protect the residents and children of Figgins. Do not put our
community at risk to help a few lost souls. Do not bring harm to the hardworking tax payers, who will most
definitely suffer the brunt of this burden. Would YOU want a homeless shelter in your neighborhood?
Sincerely,
Melanie Schrunk
Henderson Street