According to Mayor Mamdani's office, the facility — which first opened in 1931 — is in significant disrepair. While officials said there is no immediate danger, the decision to vacate the site was made based on engineering guidance regarding the building's condition.
The shelter currently houses about 250 people, and the city says it will relocate residents to other facilities while maintaining the same number of shelter beds across the system.
The change also affects intake locations for people seeking shelter in Manhattan. Beginning May 1, adult men seeking shelter will be directed to Project Renewal facilities at 8 E. Third St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery, while intake for adult families (without minor children) will move to 333 Bowery between Second Street and Third Street. (The two longtime facitities flank the Bowery Hotel.)
City officials said they will conduct a public information campaign to alert people to the new intake sites. The Department of Homeless Services will also maintain a small presence at the Bellevue location for at least a year to direct anyone arriving there to the new sites, with transportation provided.
Meanwhile, the city says it is working on a long-term redevelopment plan for the Bellevue site.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Your remarks and lively debates are welcome, whether supportive or critical of the views herein. Your articulate, well-informed remarks that are relevant to an article are welcome.
However, commentary that is intended to "flame" or attack, that contains violence, racist comments and potential libel will not be published. Facts are helpful.
If you'd like to make personal attacks and libelous claims against people and businesses, then you may do so on your own social media accounts. Also, comments predicting when a new business will close ("I give it six weeks") will not be approved.