(Google Maps Photo)
By Scott Shumaker | The Mesa Tribune
Neighborhood sentiment doesn’t appear too favorable toward Mesa officials’ plan to but a hotel for $7.4 million to house people in its Off the Streets Program.
City officials held a community meeting at the Jefferson Recreation Center to discuss the acquisition of the Grand Hotel on Main Street and the prevailing sentiment among the approximately 50 people who showed is that neighbors don’t want a homeless shelter in their backyards.
Mesa and Grand Hotel owner Sunstay Bridge LLC have agreed to terms, but a final sale is contingent on City Council issuing a Council Use Permit to allow social services on the property.
City staff estimate the council might consider the CUP in October.
Anger and fear bubbled up several times at the meeting during the Q&A following a presentation by Lindsey Balinkie, deputy director of Mesa’s Community Services Department, and Det. Aaron Raine, Mesa Police Department’s homelessness liaison.
Many in the audience said crime and drug use in their area had already been on the rise in recent years.
They believed a shelter would only increase these issues – despite predictions from Raine that the neighborhood would see a reduction in crime due to a 24-hour police presence and other measures.
City officials emphasized that Off the Streets prioritizes housing the most vulnerable people for emergency shelter, like seniors, pregnant women and families with children.
