Betty Selin Astral Media Radio, Vernon
Finding a location for a permanent homeless shelter in Vernon is not going to be easy. The latest site being considered is the Chinese Freemason's building on 33rd Street. Mayor Wayne Lippert wants to clear up concerns that the city is involved in the purchase..."The city doesn't have any involvement as far as purchasing. The only involvement we'd have would have to do with zoning and land use."The reaction from businesses in the area is similar to previous locations. Bob Woodman, with Dodd's Auction believes having a shelter next door would decrease his property value by 200-thousand dollars. It turns out the building is encroaching on his property and Woodman says the owners will have to take him to court to get him to sign off on the sale.
Annette Sharkey, with the Social Planning Council, says the group learned their lesson with the Sigalet Building when it fell through..."We always knew that until something was signed and sealed that we'd have to be looking at other alternatives." Sharkey says there are back up plans in place if the 33rd Street property sale doesn't go through.
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