As reported by The New York Times, Justice Sabrina Kraus ruled yesterday that the city provided a rational basis for moving the intake operation from the deteriorating former Bellevue intake center on East 30th Street to the East Village facility to the Renewal on the Bowery facility.
Neighbors who sued to block the move argued that converting the site into an intake center — where people typically stay only a few days — would have a different impact on the neighborhood than the substance-abuse shelter that has operated there for decades. They contended that the change should have triggered additional public review.
In her ruling, Kraus acknowledged residents' concerns and frustration over not having an opportunity to weigh in on a decision that could affect the character of the block, but said the court could not substitute its judgment for that of the city.
Attorney Randy Mastro, who represents the residents challenging the move, told the Times that his clients are considering an appeal.
The city announced plans in March to move the intake operation to 8 E. Third St. after determining that the longtime men's intake center near Bellevue was in poor condition and needed to close immediately.
Project Renewal was founded in 1967, and the organization has used the spaces at 8 E. Third St. and 333 Bowery for decades.
Here we go!
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify - the Third St building is not currently operating as a shelter. The (former) residents were moved out, and the only thing in the building now is a couple of medical clinics and a skeletal security staff.
ReplyDeleteHallelujah!
ReplyDeleteHallelujah? That 100+ men a day will overwhelm our neighborhood and be sleeping on our doorsteps because the city will be trying to cram them into a building too small to hold them all while processing them for intake? This is not fair to the residents nor to the homeless men. This will be a disaster just like it was in 1986.Thank you Mr Mamdani for this executive order which over rode the trial which was clearly in favor of the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteI'm more frustrated that the city let the 30th st facility rot. And now their solution is to send everyone down to the EV. I'm all for helping people but am also tired of the EV being the go-to for sending everyone with nowhere else to go.
ReplyDelete