(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

"one viable option"

Council facing decision to once again extend shelter permit

Jun 19, 2021 | 10:23 AM

City administration says there is only one viable site for Red Deer’s temporary homeless shelter – it’s current one.

In a bid to find an alternate location, The City over the last several weeks has done an extensive search and call for businesses to become involved.

On Monday, administration will be recommending to city council that they once again extend the permit to operate at the former Cannery Row building in Railyards (5239 53 Ave.).

Last month following a lengthy public hearing, council approved extending the permit for the current shelter continue operating through Sept. 30, 2021. City staff recommended extending it for a whole year, but some council members expressed discomfort with that idea.

RELATED STORIES:

amends not made: lacombe pride

Campaign on to reinstate Lacombe-Ponoka MLA booted from UCP caucus for transphobic comments

11h ago

"overreach"

Red Deer and Red Deer County mayors perplexed over rationale of proposed Bill 20

16h ago

Phase 2 upgrades at Dickson Dam to begin this year

17h ago

City issues call for lease space for interim shelter

Safe Harbour shelter gets 4-month extension, not proposed year

“The search and call for business opportunities has resulted in only one viable option for the temporary emergency shelter, and that location is a lease opportunity at the current Cannery Row site located in Railyards,” said Sarah Tittemore, Community Services General Manager.

“Administration has not been able to find another viable lease option for the temporary emergency shelter. If council doesn’t want to pursue the lease option, we’ll need further direction on alternative options.”

Council also approved $41,000 for mitigation strategies around the shelter, including enhanced business and resident engagement, security, cleaning and new programs such as a safe walk program.

Council also approved up to $8,500 to cover business license fees in 2022 for businesses located in Railyards.

“So far, administration has been working with local organizations and businesses to successfully implement several of these approved tactics, including establishing a Downtown Business Association Community Liaison, enhanced DBA Clean Team service levels and increased night security patrols in the Railyard Neighbourhood,” said Tittemore.

“We are also working with Red Deer Crime Prevention Centre to conduct a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design analysis to improve the site design and find out what more we can do to reduce crime in the area surrounding Cannery Row.”

Monday’s city council meeting can be streamed at meeting.reddeer.ca. The meeting starts at 2 p.m., but will move to in-camera shortly thereafter, with council coming back to open meeting around 4 p.m.