Summary
MASH Property Management and municipal staff updated the Assembly on plans to open Linda’s Place and continue Alex Hotel operations, describing staffing hires, construction work, security measures and outreach to nearby community councils.
Municipal staff and MASH Property Management told the Assembly Housing and Homeless Committee on Aug. 20 that the city is transitioning to year‑round shelter operations at East Fifth Avenue and continuing operations at the Alex Hotel, and that the first moves will happen between Aug. 27 and Sept. 1.
The update matters because the municipal plan reduces temporary winter capacity and establishes year‑round sites with a goal of more stable staffing and continuity of services. Tara (municipal staff) said East 56 will operate at 100 beds year‑round under Henning from Sept. 1; Linda’s Place will take about 100 people to be managed by MASH; and the Alex Hotel will maintain 100 non‑congregate beds.
Leslie Rydell, vice president of operations for MASH Property Management, said the Linda’s Place project is moving from construction toward staffing and operations. MASH reported work to add showers, upgrade electrical capacity for bed‑bug tents and install interior and exterior cameras. MASH expects to hire largely from Catholic Social Services staff who are transitioning away from the site; the company said roughly 98% of new hires for the initial operation will be staff who formerly worked with Catholic Social Services and that the shelter manager position will be filled by a manager who previously ran Catholic Social Services’ shelter contract.
Rydell and municipal staff described several neighborhood mitigation steps under consideration or underway: a "good neighbor" conversation with Mountain View, Fairview and downtown community councils; fencing and parking‑lot controls to keep guest activity away from Fifth Avenue; coordination with the Department of Transportation on pedestrian crossings and speed enforcement; and installing cameras and fencing to improve site security. Rydell said the site design includes a large rear parking area where daytime activities, smoking areas and guest gatherings will be intentionally sited away from the front of the building.
Committee members pressed staff to continue outreach to full community councils and not only executive representatives; several members said council executive support is not the same as a full council vote. Members also raised pedestrian‑safety concerns on Fifth Avenue and asked that DOT consider crossings or a speed reduction on the state road; municipal staff confirmed DOT would be part of follow‑up talks.
MASH said the longer prospective contract terms for year‑round shelters have already improved hiring and retention. Rydell said that knowing jobs could last beyond a few months increased applicant interest and produced more stable onsite engagement.
No formal board action was taken during the update. Committee members asked staff for periodic updates on operations, neighborhood outreach and safety measures as the transition progresses.
