Neighbors protest county purchase of 96 Boston Ave for Code Blue; county supervisor says purchase was unanimous

Neighbors told the City Council they were surprised and upset that county supervisors purchased 96 Boston Ave for a permanent Code Blue facility without direct neighborhood notice, and they asked for immediate outreach and engagement before programming decisions move forward.

"We feel this was done under the radar," Sula Sitos said, urging the council to hold public meetings so neighbors can understand the implications for the block and for elderly residents. Several speakers said task-force recommendations developed earlier by a mayor-appointed committee recommended less-expensive options and that the county’s $3 million purchase differed from the city task force’s top choice.

Supervisor Mike Madigan (Speaker 21), who attended the county board meeting, said the board unanimously approved the purchase and described how county and city tracks differ: "The county board did approve the purchase of 96 Boston Avenue for a permanent Code Blue facility," he told the council, adding that Code Blue facilities are required to open when temperatures fall below 32°F. Madigan said he has asked the shelter operator to form a neighborhood committee to manage community relations and pledged continued outreach and meetings with neighbors.

Councilors emphasized the two tracks are separate: the city’s task force studied locations for a low-barrier, city-funded shelter to be operated by a nonprofit, while the county’s Code Blue purchase is a county responsibility to provide emergency shelter during freezing conditions. The council asked staff to coordinate with county officials and the shelter operator to schedule neighborhood briefings.