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Safe Harbor gets 'yes' vote from TC commission

Aaron Selbig

Traverse City commissioners gave their approval Monday night to turn a city-owned building into an emergency homeless shelter. The five-to-two vote came after a long and contentious debate that has sharply divided the community. 

Before Monday night’s vote, the public had one more chance to weigh in the proposed Safe Harbor shelter.  Opponents– many of whom live and work in the neighborhood where it would be located – voiced concerns about safety and the potential cost to the city. 

Connie Eckenrode worried the shelter will attract homeless people from well outside Traverse City. 

“We’re going to ship them in from four counties, we’re going to be the saviors of the world," said Eckenrode. "That doesn’t work. You need to rethink this before you sign your name on that paper.” 

Supporters called the 90-bed, seasonal shelter a matter of life and death for the city’s homeless population. Jennifer Wynn Stoll praised the volunteers who have been running Safe Harbor out of local churches for the last ten years. 

“These are professional men and women that have sacrificed thousands of hours, wiping the brow of people who have experienced harder times than we can ever imagine,” said Stoll. 

Public comment went on for two hours before commissioners had their turn. Commissioner Jim Carruthers – a vocal supporter of the shelter – acknowledged the divisiveness of the long debate. 

“Yes, it’s emotional," he said. "Yes, we’re compassionate. Yes, we speak from our heart. But as a humanitarian, how can I not speak from my heart, especially when it’s going to be 18 degrees outside?” 

Safe Harbor must now negotiate a lease agreement with the city. And there are big problems with the Wellington Street building, including mold and a failing roof. The city manager estimates repairs will cost more than $130,000.