The Denver City Council gave a green light Monday to a homeless day center by approving an $8.6 million city subsidy.
Facing opposition from the Ballpark Neighborhood Association and others, council members were resolute in praising the project. Instead of taking separate votes, they approved a pair of agreements with the Denver Rescue Mission as part of a 12-0 block vote on several issues.
The Denver Rescue Mission plans to open the Lawrence Street Community Center adjacent to its men’s shelter next year. On tap: a dining room, showers and restrooms, plus an outdoor courtyard. But no beds.
The homeless would get a safe place to wait for shelter each afternoon, outside public view. Supporters also said the walls would shield the homeless from predatory criminals.
But neighborhood association leaders called the plan a “Band-Aid” in a petition that gathered hundreds of signatures. They argued it would do nothing to reduce homelessness.
Developer David Zucker said after the vote that the expensive project lacked thoughtfulness.
But Councilwoman Robin Kniech said the council needed to do more to keep the promises it made to expand services when it passed the city’s camping ban two years ago. And Jeanne Faatz said the project would help manage what she sees as the intractable problem of homelessness.
Last week, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock promised stepped-up police patrols and neighborhood cleanup measures alongside the Rescue Mission’s project. He plans to submit a council budget request soon.
The Rescue Mission is raising $2.4 million that will go toward the city’s planned 24-hour “rest and resource” center, likely in another part of the city.
Jon Murray: 303-954-1405, jmurray@denverpost.com or twitter.com/denverJonMurray
