Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker is pushing back against a decision by the Fort Wayne Common Council to delay consideration of funding for a proposed homeless resource center. The council voted 5-3 on June 9 to hold a request to appropriate and pledge funds for the acquisition of a building that could be used as a homeless resource center.
Addressing Concerns
Tucker outlined a five-point response to issues raised by council members in a memorandum sent to them on Tuesday. The administration has spent more than two years researching solutions to homelessness and has already hired a homeless services manager, implemented a transient drop-off ordinance, and explored the purchase and renovation of a building that could be operated by a nonprofit organization as a resource center.
Among the concerns raised by council members was a request for additional public input. Tucker said two previous opportunities for public comment have already been held, and roughly two-thirds of participants supported the proposed location and plan. The city will open a two-week question-and-answer period through its Engage Fort Wayne website and publish responses to all submitted questions.
Council also requested an independent review of potential sites. Tucker said the city has already examined 23 possible locations, including sites outside city limits, using criteria such as size, cost, proximity to residential neighborhoods, transit access, and access to services. She is asking council members to submit additional site suggestions by June 23, and a commercial real estate professional will be hired to review all options.
The mayor also addressed requests for a public operating plan, security plan, and good-neighbor agreements. Tucker said the nonprofit expected to operate the facility, The Anchor Resource Center, has agreed to provide draft versions of those documents to council later this month and throughout the planning process.
Finally, Tucker said the lease agreement can include a three-year term and annual reporting requirements, addressing council concerns about long-term accountability. While the council voted to delay action until Sept. 1, Tucker said the administration believes all requested information can be compiled by late July or early August. She is asking the council to discuss and vote on the funding request during its Aug. 11 meeting.
Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.
