JUST IN TIME FOR our Thanksgiving family gatherings, the Marquette City Commission gave us something to talk about. You know, other than national politics, which has been deemed off-limits, for fear it might incite a red and blue blooded food fight.
At Monday’s commission meeting, following a work session held earlier in the day, our city leaders voted to work out a deal with Room at the Inn that surely provided plenty of fodder for turkey day table talk.
The deal? After hammering out the specifics with city staff, the Presque Isle Pavilion, seen above, would serve as a temporary overnight shelter for some of Room at the Inn’s homeless… er, houseless clients.
It seems RATI’s Warming Center on West Washington is operating at full capacity, forcing clients to sleep on cots, set up wherever they can find room. And apparently, they’re out of room.
Looking for a Solution
I didn’t attend the work session, so I’ll speculate that RATI came to the commission with their problem, and how the city can help. The meeting’s agenda indicated only one item, that being “Use of City Facilities.”
I’m sure our city commissioners, after hearing from RATI Executive Director Chelsea Wilkinson, went through all the pros, and cons… of which there are plenty. After the vote went her way, Wilkinson thanked the commission for their difficult decision. “Both of our priorities are making sure our community is safe, finding solutions that work for both Room at the Inn, the city, and our shared constituents, whether they are housed ones or unhoused ones.”
New mayor Paul Schloegel confirmed his board’s initial attempt at due diligence. “We did a pretty thorough job of wringing this out during our work session.” Then, after rehashing their concerns, the commissioners unanimously approved the motion to go ahead with the proposal, with final approval based on conditions to be mutually agreed upon with Room at the Inn.
Don’t Talk About the Hungry With Your Mouthful
So, the scene has been set. The turkey’s on the table. The TV is tuned into the Lions vs the Packers. The menfolk are back from the traditional pre-gamer at the bar. And someone says… “Did you hear they’re going to let those homeless people live at the Presque Isle Pavilion?”
Oh boy. If social media is any indication, there’s no shortage of opinions on this one. And since it has nothing to do with anything going on in our nation’s capital… it’s fair game.
First, some facts. No homeless… pardon me, houseless people are going to be living at the Presque Isle Pavilion. It would serve only as an overflow option, presumably until the Salvation Army can assume the duties after the first of the new year. The building would be used only as a place to sleep, only at night. So, no one is going to be “living” there.
Conditional Approval
A number of conditions, in addition to a 10-person limit, were requested by Commissioner Jessica Hanley, including, “I want there to be a solid start and end date.” She also suggested a need for some kind of intermittent police presence to ensure no inappropriate behavior.
Commissioner Cary Gottlieb agreed with Hanley, but also added concerns about city liability, which was echoed by Commissioner Jermey Ottaway… “We need to make sure that our taxpayers are protected.”
Commissioner Sally Davis brought up something probably discussed at the work session, and that is… what about someplace else? “I guess it’s just an ‘ask’ for Room at the Inn, and that is that you research other facilities, like the Armory and the Commons, and maybe there are some others out there that would actually be a better solution than what we’re talking about on Presque Isle.”
Eyes Wide Open
Obviously commissioners are acutely aware of the potential pitfalls associated with letting people hunker down on beloved city property. And they have a little history to back it up.
Back in the Covid days, Lakeview Arena was used as a temporary shelter for our city’s unhoused. (There… I got it right that time.) It didn’t go well. According to Schloegel, “Lakeview during Covid was a mess. The space occupied was disrespected.”
Which brings us back to your annual dinner and debate. Though I’m not a betting man… wait, yes I am, I’ll wager those who favored the idea were about as popular as that plate of pickles and olives. And who thinks that’s a good idea?
The objections are as plentiful as Thanksgiving leftovers, not the least of which is… Presque Isle? Really?
I would imagine, with the message of Thanksgiving flavoring the conversation, comments in opposition were accompanied by the obligatory bromides, like “there but for the grace of God go I.” Regardless, there are a number of legitimate reasons not to turn the pavilion into a bed and no breakfast, even if for just a short time. I won’t list all the objections here. Just check the hundreds of social media comments for one to your liking.
And the idea that an end date will be written into the contract is well-intentioned, but equally suspect. Though RATI is being encouraged to look for alternatives, what if they don’t find any?
Yay… or Nay?
While there’s certainly support for the idea beyond the commission chambers, it’s going to face considerable resistance. If it’s opposed by a vocal majority, how is it to be justified? Hanley offers, “We are assisting a group in need, in order to protect the lives of our residents which, the unhoused are.”
As of right now, it’s not a done deal. The commission will have to see a final proposal that satisfies their conditions before the doors are unlocked and the midnight fires are lit. And there will certainly be an opportunity for public input.
Whatever happens, it needs to happen pretty soon. Winter barged through the door this week, which puts even more pressure on those working to find a safe and warm refuge for our vulnerable population.
Time for Dessert?
Hopefully your Thanksgiving spread was good enough to temper any differences the issue may have brought to the table. Now, let’s have some of that pumpkin pie!