Anyone else out there think Cole, Whittier, Five Points, Curtis Park, etc., have done our share in terms of hosting social services facilities? Anyone else think it's time they start building these facilities, though important, somewhere else in Denver?
Anyone out there aware of the Bo Matthews Center project to build a large residential facility for the homeless and ex-cons in our neighborhood?
You're likely not, because they (and the city) have been working on this project since last summer, without actively involving those that will be affected most by the project--The residents.
While it's true that the Bo Matthews Center is already operating social services at the site, (ex-con transition programs, I think, and transitional residences, I think) and they claim they will just be able to better house and serve the existing "customers" but won't be increasing the scope of their operations, in my opinion building a fancy new facility will just mean they'll be here forever--When I am hoping to see facilities like this begin to disappear as the neighborhood continues to change.
It's still a bit fuzzy what exactly happened--But it sounds like The Matthews Center was awarded approval for city funding last summer to build a 28- to 30-unit residential facility for the homeless and ex-cons, where their current center is at 3030 Downing. The facility currently has housing for veterans and recent releases from the department of corrections. This project allows them to build a proposed three story building at Downing and MLK--And better yet, with $$$ from the city!!!
How is this going to affect the revitalization of the Downing corridor? Think it will attract new businesses and residents? Yeah, right.
I attended a public meeting with the organization this past Saturday, and it was quite heated. Why? Because the vast majority of the folks in the room seem clear that nothing short of a net decrease in these types of facilities will be progress in the area. This are has long been the "dumping ground" for social services, and I have to say, I was excited to hear that I wasn't the only one that says ENOUGH.
The good news is that it sounds like they need to get a signed neighborhood agreement in order to obtain the city funding--Which at this point I don't know if they'll get. Additionally, I'm happy to say that it appears that our city Councilwoman Carla Madison didn't initially sign the approval for this property when it came up for discussion. Additionally, she has made it clear that she too opposes any new social services coming to her district.
Why we didn't hear about this sooner is still a mystery...
Want more information on the project?
matthewscenter@msn.com
And be sure to voice your opinion on the topic to our City Councilwoman, Carla Madison:
carla.madison@denvergov.org
And finally, be sure to contact the leaders of your neighborhood association to be involved in any future meetings...
11 comments:
This is awful news for an area that is perpetually held back by the density of low-income housing, rehab centers, and homeless shelters. Here's hoping it doesn't happen after all.
Wow, we just can't catch a break over here, huh.
The homeless are residents of our community just as you and I are, and the homeless in District 8 are represented by Carla Madison too. The Matthews Center does a lot of good work for people who need a hand up for whatever reason. Do I think that having a homeless shelter at 30th and Downing will prevent people from moving into the neighborhood? I do not, because the homeless are already here -- they're just out in view, in the streets. And, to be honest, you can go to any area of town and find homeless people (yes, of course certain areas of town will have a higher concentration of homeless individuals). Homeless shelters, rehabs and assisted living facilities for the mentally ill are all over the place, in all kinds of neighborhoods. They have to be built somewhere! I myself don't subscribe to the Not In My Neighborhood mentality. We cannot pretend that needy people just don't exist, or that they are not entitled to have a sense of community and neighborhood. So, yes, I do disagree with your opinion generally speaking.
Thanks for reading Two...
I agree with you in many ways, but the bottom line is that it's all about balance. Cole, Whittier, Five Points, Curtis Park, etc., don't have any balance when it comes to social services, half-way houses, poorly-run section 8 housing, homeless shelters, etc. We have the highest density of these facilities (by far) of any other part of Denver. Curtis Park, for example, is book-ended on all four sides by facilities, that while they perform an important function for society, also don't do the neighborhood crime rate any favors.
It's simply time to stop dumping these facilities in our back yard, and for other parts of Denver to do their part to provide these important services.
Again, please think balance. The best neighborhoods are diverse--Offering any resident exposure to people, cultures, and background other than their own. Continuing to maintain the extreme density of low-income housing and social services doesn't do anyone any favors--Particularly the low-income and homeless people you clearly care about.
Want to see businesses come to the neighborhood to provide important services to the residents? Provide more jobs? reduce crime?
If you answered yes to any or all of those questions, in my opinion, you're off base in supporting continued investment and redevelopment of facilities like the Bo Matthews Center in our area.
I can't agree with the original blog author, and disagree with the comment by Twoapennything more.
We have paid our dues many times over relative to shelters and low-income housing.
It is time we start "spreading the wealth" (Sorry Mr. Obama) with other neighborhoods in Denver.
Bo Matthews should do "a lot of good work" somewhere else. That would be "Change (I) can believe in."
You mean "President Obama?"
I don't disagree with your point about finding balance -- I think that's a fair and reasonable goal for our neighborhood to have (for all neighborhoods to have, really). I do care about the homeless and other disenfranchised groups, but I'd like to think not unreasonably so. By that, I mean I do believe it is important to provide social assistance to the needy, sick and disadvantaged. BUT (but but but!) of course I expect some semblance of accountability to the community in return. Because I do work with the homeless, I am (and I don't mean this snidely) more aware than most of where transitional housing is located -- you might be very surprised to learn where the homeless are housed, through various areas of Denver. So, in that regard, I have to disagree that the mere presence of transitional living at the BMC site would necessarily keep businesses from coming into the Welton corridor and further northward. That said, I do understand your position and concerns. The issue of increased crime being directly correlated with the presence of homeless individuals is complex and isn't easily pigeonholed. Again, I can't quite agree with your blanket supposition (and I might blog about it on my own space, which you'd be welcome to check out of you're so inclined), but I do appreciate your respectful disagreement with me, and the conversation. Cheers, Julie
Thanks for your comments, and for reading Julie.
This is a tough call. Although the need for shelters is important, it still causes a problem with upgrading a good neighborhood.
Agree completely AJInjuryLaw. My, and many residents', point has always been not that we feel above having these types of institutions in Cole, but believe that we have more than our share.
The need for shelter is really what they need.
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