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DGS takes lead on Federal City Shelter replacement; council skeptical of 2027 completion date
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Summary
DGS has taken lead responsibility for planning a replacement site for the CCNV Federal City Shelter, DHS told the Committee on Human Service on June 12; Councilmembers questioned whether a Sept. 30, 2027 construction-complete date in the capital budget is realistic.
Councilmember Matt Fruman raised concerns June 12 about the realism of a projected construction-complete date of Sept. 30, 2027 for the Federal City Shelter replacement project tied to the Community for Creative Non-Violence (CCNV). DHS officials said DGS has assumed lead responsibility for the project and that a draft memorandum of agreement (MOA) with CCNV and stakeholders is moving through the city administrator and mayoral review before coming to Council.
“DGS is now leading the process,” Interim Director Rachel Pierre told the committee, adding the agency has formed a working group with DGS, CCNV and DHS staff to agree on site size, services and location. Pierre said DHS “has a draft MOA that I know needs to make it through, the city administrator's office to the mayor and then will come to council.”
Committee members said they are skeptical the Sept. 30, 2027 construction completion date is achievable because, as the chair noted, there is no request for proposals (RFP) issued yet for design services and construction funding is not fully budgeted. Pierre agreed much of the cost and schedule details fall within DGS’s scope and that DHS does not have a full construction cost estimate in hand.
Fruman asked about capacity pressures in the interim. DHS staff said the adult shelter system is currently “at capacity,” and that “We have fewer than 10 slots available any given night since post hypothermia.” DHS said it has sometimes had to turn people away due to capacity constraints.
Ending: DHS said the city administrator and mayor are committed to a replacement site and that DGS will lead design and construction; Council asked for clearer cost estimates, a procurement timeline and confirmation of when construction funds would be requested.
