Homeless Hi-Rise at Admiral and Yale

[MDepr2007]

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

PM, I'll swap one of these YMCA developments anyday for the Boulder Plaza. Even with that informal mental health development, next to the mental health association, it doesn't seem to affect values in Riverview or Maple Ridge.

I visited the new site today. There is very little residential west of the site and none to its east. The north is insulated by the cemetary. The south side though cut off by the expressway is the only area at risk. Would they rather a cheap hotel went in to complement the machine shops, auto parts, muffler shop, blood bank, auto salvage, mobile home park and Sonic?

and of course they won't dare cross the highway or walk a few blocks north. Oh and I guess you missed the few houses to the east of the gas station which is more homeowners than is that close to the current YMCA.

[tim huntzinger]

When I was at the Mental Hell Association DTU was quite active in addressing the homeless problem, in fact was the primary mover in getting MHA to take on housing as a core program.  I saw firsthand the difference medications and case management make in getting people back on their feet.

My concern with the project is whether or not this is a 'safe haven' like the Y was.  Having 75 under-medicated mentally ill drunks or crackheads in the neighborhood is NOT the same as a hotel, even if it is separated by the MLK.

[cannon_fodder]

I got it!

We can build it anywhere in Oklahoma City AND upgrade our transit system to provide these poor souls free (one way) transportation west.  They should really be begging outside a pro-sports venue anyway.

You know, because we care.  []

OKC, don't get mad.  You can build a shelter in Amarillo.

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by MDepr2007

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

PM, I'll swap one of these YMCA developments anyday for the Boulder Plaza. Even with that informal mental health development, next to the mental health association, it doesn't seem to affect values in Riverview or Maple Ridge.

I visited the new site today. There is very little residential west of the site and none to its east. The north is insulated by the cemetary. The south side though cut off by the expressway is the only area at risk. Would they rather a cheap hotel went in to complement the machine shops, auto parts, muffler shop, blood bank, auto salvage, mobile home park and Sonic?

and of course they won't dare cross the highway or walk a few blocks north. Oh and I guess you missed the few houses to the east of the gas station which is more homeowners than is that close to the current YMCA.

I know that area well. I lived there after college for a year or so and I've used the many automotive service shops, and other services around there over the last 25 years. Its effects won't even be noticed anywhere but south of 244 and then only marginally. Every part of the city should share this burden. It is simply wrong to warehouse them downtown or in remote locations, creating ghettos for homeless and struggling people. Live your faith. Area churches have a great opportunity here.

[MDepr2007]

And just 2 nights after Councilor Eagleton and other councilors give this group $4 million of our tax money. Eagleton is eating at White River Fish Market with a group of 16 that includes Judy Kishner? Say it ain't so

Is there a reason I'm wondering if Eagleton should have not voted

[AMP]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

I got it!

We can build it anywhere in Oklahoma City AND upgrade our transit system to provide these poor souls free (one way) transportation west.  They should really be begging outside a pro-sports venue anyway.

You know, because we care.  []

OKC, don't get mad.  You can build a shelter in Amarillo.

Interesting you mention that, as several major Tulsa based non-profits donated large sums of money to build a major Skate Park in Joplin, Missouri.
http://www.thebridgejoplin.com/bridge/aboutus/place.html

http://www.autumnramppark.com/autumn/pics/index.html

Was their intent to move the Skaters out of Tulsa and up the pike towards Joplin?  


DATE: 6/18/04

HEADLINE: The Bridge is Building a new Destination for Joplin

BODY:

The Bridge has been helping the community for 5 years. With 8000 members and over 100,000 visits, The Bridge is working on a plan to build a brand new Recreation and Entertainment facility for the Joplin area.  The new facility will be located just north east of the John Q. Hammons Convention Center off of Hammons Blvd on 59.2 Acres donated by John Q. Hammons.  The facility will be over 60,000 sq. ft. with Skatepark, Rock Climbing, gaming, cage-basketball, music-venue, bmx dirt jumps, food service and more.  Construction financing is approved and dirt work will begin at the end of June.

The ground breaking for this new facility will take place on Tuesday June 29 at 10 a.m. on the site. The community is encouraged to attend.  Major Project partners to date include: John Q. Hammons, St. John's Regional Medical Center, J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, The Betenbough Foundation, The Lemons Trust, the staff and Trustees at The Bridge and the nine local banks that are financing construction.  These banks include: U.S. Bank, Hometown Bank, Commerce Bank, Community Bank and Trust, First State Bank, Arvest Bank, Bank of Joplin, Great Southern Bank and Southwest Missouri Bank.

The Bridge needs to raise an additional $875,000 in commitments from the Joplin community in order to receive a challenge grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation for $750,000.  The Mabee Foundation is from Tulsa, the Betenbough Foundation is out of Lubbock, TX, Mr. Hammons is from Springfield.  As we announce this project other towns and cities around the Midwest see the need and have invested in this idea.  Now it is time for Joplin to get behind what will be a major asset to this community in terms of making a place for the teen population and in terms of creating a destination for the Joplin Market.

Local schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, Young Life, Churches, Girl Scouts, Juvenile Detention Center, Ozark Center, St. John's Regional Medical Center, The Joplin Family Y have all already benefited from utilizing the current Bridge facility.  The new facility will only enhance the programs of these and other wonderful organizations.

The Bridge is open after school and on the weekends for teens. We work to connect students with adults that will mentor and challenge students to become active and productive members of society. Most importantly, we are connecting students with the hope and love offered by God to every generation.  We see this new facility as a gift to one of the most overlooked segments of the population.  In addition, we see the eyes of the nation looking at Joplin as a leader in a modern day movement that is designed to help teens transition into healthy adults.

http://www.thebridgejoplin.com/bridge/aboutus/index.html

[MDepr2007]

Gee and local skaters have to raise their own money to enhance the one being built (someday) from Vision 2025
"Skate the 918"

[FOTD]

quote:Originally posted by FOTD

Well, if there was ever any doubt about being Batty....what a bunch of garbage MB! You failed to mention the family who holds title to the old Warehouse Market.

Eagleton proved tonight to be the best head the council has ever had. His speach at the end was spot on. It's about much more than "white city" ....it's about giving a hand up.

And you call yourself a good christian. It's guys like MB that make me a friend of the devil.

Objectors need form a committee to identify all future potential sites that slip through NIMBY fingers.....THA most likely already has it.

[MichaelBates]

quote:Originally posted by FOTD

quote:Originally posted by FOTD

Well, if there was ever any doubt about being Batty....what a bunch of garbage MB! You failed to mention the family who holds title to the old Warehouse Market.

Eagleton proved tonight to be the best head the council has ever had. His speach at the end was spot on. It's about much more than "white city" ....it's about giving a hand up.

And you call yourself a good christian. It's guys like MB that make me a friend of the devil.

Objectors need form a committee to identify all future potential sites that slip through NIMBY fingers.....THA most likely already has it.

6th and Denver is a good location. It's a block away to 20 bus lines, across the street from Central Library and the Courthouse. A hospital is only a few blocks away. Social services are within walking distance. Why not there?

[waterboy]

There's some land just West of Utica at 20th. Close to hospitals, shopping, bus routes potential employers, there's even a Y just a short 6 blocks away. Why not there?

Brookside has a good library they can use as well as bus routes and employers too. Why not there?

I saw some land over by 41st and Hudson. Now there's a good spot Walking distance to 12/12, bus routes, employers, shopping. Why not there?

They're tearing down forests at 106th & Memorial even a golf driving range. Lots of land and support judging by the density of churches out there. No busses but that could be arranged. Why not there?

Why is downtown the default location?

[RecycleMichael]

I think those are all good sites for a small facility. Small facilities (like eight to twenty units) fit in lots of places.

Why the move to build a 70 plus unit building?

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

I think those are all good sites for a small facility. Small facilities (like eight to twenty units) fit in lots of places.

Why the move to build a 70 plus unit building?

My guess? Ask a lawyer. Why do you ask for 20 million when you only expect and would gladly settle for 5? If 70 is available and approved doesn't mean it will end up that many. But it may mean that the cost of the land justifies that much and the additional units may only cost marginally more (cost slightly more to build 20 more units if they are on the same foundation and utilities cheaper as well).

A compromise with NIMBY's may end up with half the projected amount. Does that make sense?

[RecycleMichael]

I don't see a compromise coming.

THA was very clear of their intentions to build a facility this size and the neighborhood leaders seem very resolute to oppose any facility at this location.

This is a mess. People are really pissed about this.

There is a meeting of the Tulsa Housing Authority scheduled for Tuesday. Here is the agenda...

http://www.tulsahousing.org/Portals/0/General%20Documents/AGENDA%20for%2008.12.08%20THA%20Board%20Meeting.pdf

This item is going to be discussed.

These neighbors are not going to back down. They are well organized (I know most of them because my wife was the president of the neighborhood association for a decade). They just had a big neighborhood controversy last month with the school board about opening a special school for troubled and anger management students. The school board saw the writing on the wall and dropped the plans even after spending $30,000 in improvements.

They are mad at the housing authority. They are mad at the city council, especially Eric Gomez and David Patrick. I would expect fireworks.

[Friendly Bear]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

I don't see a compromise coming.

THA was very clear of their intentions to build a facility this size and the neighborhood leaders seem very resolute to oppose any facility at this location.

This is a mess. People are really pissed about this.

There is a meeting of the Tulsa Housing Authority scheduled for Tuesday. Here is the agenda...

http://www.tulsahousing.org/Portals/0/General%20Documents/AGENDA%20for%2008.12.08%20THA%20Board%20Meeting.pdf

This item is going to be discussed.

These neighbors are not going to back down. They are well organized (I know most of them because my wife was the president of the neighborhood association for a decade). They just had a big neighborhood controversy last month with the school board about opening a special school for troubled and anger management students. The school board saw the writing on the wall and dropped the plans even after spending $30,000 in improvements.

They are mad at the housing authority. They are mad at the city council, especially Eric Gomez and David Patrick. I would expect fireworks.

Doesn't anybody get it?

First, fabricate a funky, MADE-UP rule about retrofitting high rise buildings with active, fire suppressant systems is passed by the City Council, at the urging of the Tulsa Fire Chief/Fire Suppression Industry.

This mandate, promulated by the Fire Suppression Industry through their paid paladin the current and former Tulsa Fire Dept. fire chiefs to line the pockets of the Fire Protection Industry, earns the undying support of their financial largess for whatever the Tulsa Oligarchy desires, and offers the Chiefs future employment after they retire from their City of Tulsa sinecures.

This made-up-rule "requires" that the 50 year old YMCA to be retrofitted with ACTIVE fire suppression systems, which results in the facility to be closed because it is not economically viable at $270 per month rent per room to the homeless/indigent drug and alcohol abusers to rehab the building.

Good-bye downtown YMCA.

Second, this serves the local power establishment's dual purpose of moving these indigent, panhandling, bums, druggees, and drunks to outside of downtown Tulsa.

After all, we have the beautiful new BOK Arena as the ICONIC emblem of downtown Tulsa.

The local Plutocrat Oligarchy certainly don't want those indigent individuals, who are clustered downtown because of readily available mass transit, downtown churches "Helping Hands" support, city/county/state assistance, John 3:16 Mission, the Salvation Army Day Center for the Homeless, and the de-facto Adult Day Care Center at the Tulsa Central Library to continue to be an eyesore around their iconic BOK Arena.

Uncalled for insult deleted by moderator Mrs. Ruth KAISER Nelson, the THA ChairWoman, is pushing this 76-Unit Nut-Case housing in the environs of the White City neighborhood vicinity of Yale and Admiral Place, FOUR miles from downtown social services.

And, the White City residents are vehemently against it.  

They are going to tell another unneeded insult deleted by the moderator to take her money and GO TO HELL, and mind the brimstone on the way down.

Promptly, please.

Watch for the Fireworks!

[]

[PonderInc]

I don't think that a 4-story building exactly qualifies as a "high rise."  (It's not Cabrini Green...).  And, while I understand that it would be best to spread out into smaller, less noticeable buildings, I would expect this would greatly increase the cost/difficulty of providing services.

Part of the problem here is that everyone's acting like this is a leper colony or something.  I've been a downtown Y member for 15 years, and I've never had a problem with one of the residents. (They do janitorial jobs in the Y, and I've never felt uncomfortable.)

Statistically, most "homeless" folks are just normal people who have suffered some financial or medical problem that knocked them onto the streets.  (Many people count 1 or 2 paychecks as their financial cushion.  Not much if you don't have health insurance and need surgery...)

If this facility (in whatever location) provides a stable place and offers excellent services (everything from medical/mental health to job training and placement?)  I wouldn't expect to see a bunch of homeless people loitering around the streets.  I would assume they are going to be too busy getting back on their feet.  (And if there's a/c indoors, who's going to be hanging around outdoors anyway?)

I agree that smaller buildings/groups are ideal (I used to live 2 doors down from a women's shelter, and didn't know it for the first year or so...), I think the most important thing is that we don't demonize "homeless people" and that they get the services they need to re-enter normal life.

Which is, of course, easy for me to say b/c it's not in my backyard.