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Residents tell board proposed family shelter at Downtown High lacks transparency, is unsuitable for site
Summary
Multiple callers and an in-person speaker said the Downtown High School site is an inappropriate, poorly communicated location for a proposed family shelter and urged the board to seek alternatives and more community outreach.
Several speakers during public comment raised objections to a proposal to locate a family shelter at Downtown High School and criticized the district’s outreach and timeline.
Victoria Feradero, who identified herself as a resident of the 500 block of Vermont Street, said the community had only a short window to comment and that plans were being rushed ‘‘without interest in getting feedback from the community.’’ Another caller, identified as a longtime resident, said the site had public‑health and crime concerns and argued the school is not suitably equipped to host a homeless family shelter.
Speakers repeatedly said they support city efforts to find shelter but asked the district and city partners to find a different location and to provide more and earlier community engagement. The board did not take action on the proposal during public comment; speakers requested follow-up and more substantive engagement before any decision is finalized.
Ending: Speakers asked the board to delay any final placement decision until additional public meetings and impact assessments are completed and to provide clearer, earlier notice of proposals affecting neighborhoods.
