Aug. 28, 2019 9:10p
(WGTD)---A day shelter for homeless people and low-income residents in downtown Racine got a stamp of approval from the city’s Plan Commission Wednesday, even though some of its neighbors still have a bit of a problem with the place.
The expressions of support came as the Commission considered a request from the Hospitality Center at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church to expand its hours to five days a week from four. The center also wanted permission to close for the day at 2:30 rather than one.
City staff had tried to strike a compromise to appease a few property owners who had concerns about parking, panhandling, loitering and trespassing.
"It's a great thing they do. I'm not saying anything bad about it," said Dewey’s Restaurant and Sports Bar owner Dan DuMont. "I'm just asking is it really in the right place."
But Ald. Jason Meekma said he believes the center, under new leadership in the last few years, had tightened its operation to eliminate most of the problems. "I think we're really trying to limit and cast blame on a center that's doing a really good job and deserves our support," he said.
For example, volunteers now patrol the sidewalk in front of the church in neon-colored vests.
The Commission unanimously recommended approval of the center’s request, scuttling the proposed compromise.
The matter now goes to the city council to be dealt with at its regularly-scheduled meeting on Tuesday.
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