Catholic Charities received plenty of pushback when it trumpeted plans to relocate and expand the Dorothy Day Center, the state’s largest drop-in shelter for the homeless. The plan, which would have built a new shelter, low-income housing and job center on Groves Street near the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center, was eventually dropped.
That doesn’t mean plans to modernize Dorothy Day are dead — in fact, they’re moving ahead full throttle. On Monday, the Minnesota Senate specifically singled out Dorothy Day and the proposed job center for a major cash infusion from the state bonding bill, which has still to be reconciled with the House and gubernatorial versions of the bonding recommendations.
Catholic Charities would build a new multi-level site at or near Dorothy Day’s current location across from the Xcel Energy Center. The Senate bill calls for $15 million for a new housing facility and daytime service center.
In addition, Catholic Charities could apply for funds from a new $80 million housing fund administered by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.
Catholic Charities CEO Tim Marx had this to say, in a written statement, about the Senate’s decision:
“This winter has been harsh and unforgiving for those in Minnesota who have no place to call home. We’re grateful to Chair Stumpf and the entire Senate Capital Investment Committee for recognizing the urgent need to fund affordable housing across the state, including the Dorothy Day Center ReVision project. We also want to recognize the efforts of Sen. Sandy Pappas, chief author of the ReVision legislation, for her tireless effort and support.
We know that the best solution to homelessness is a home. The investments Minnesota makes to provide safe, affordable places for people to live are among the most valuable investments we can make as a state. We look forward to working with legislators and Governor Dayton to advance a new vision for the Dorothy Day Center that will bring long-term solutions, stable homes, and brighter futures for all.”
So how do neighborhood activists feel about Dorothy Day possibly expanding? The so-called “ReVision Project” got a boost on April 23 from the Capitol River Council, one of the city’s 17 neighborhood district councils, which represents downtown residents and business owners:
Tim Marx
Chief Executive Officer
Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis
1200 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403
RE: Dorothy Day Revision
Dear Mr. Marx,
CapitolRiver Council, an official advisory group to the City Council, represents and works in partnership with all District 17 stakeholders to act on urban planning and community building efforts as part of a shared vision to support sustainable, safe, healthy, and vibrant neighborhoods.
Through a network of volunteer-based committees and a 35-member elected board, the CapitolRiver Council works to make downtown a better place to live, work and visit. From policy development to the sponsorship of community events to design review of new projects, the CapitolRiver Council provides venues for fruitful citizen participation that lead to the continued physical revitalization and economic growth of this historic downtown.
Thank you for the opportunity to learn more about Catholic Charities concept for the Dorothy Day Revision at our Board of Director’s meeting on April 16, 2014. As a result of that presentation made by you and your project team, the Board of Directors officially adopted the following position:
CapitolRiver Council supports the Dorothy Day ReVision proposal as presented on April 16, 2014, and looks forward to working with
Catholic Charities to engage the local community during the design process. We also support Catholic Charities in its request for state bonding at the legislature this session, and encourage the continued inclusion of Listening House and other non-profit service organizations in the ongoing plans for the Dorothy Day ReVision.
Please feel free to contact the CapitolRiver Council with any questions about this position.
Sincerely,
Paul Bengtson
Director, CapitolRiver Council”
That’s a hefty endorsement, but don’t call it an about-face. While the fine folks at the Payne-Phalen District Council and the Railroad Island Task Force had some major concerns about the old proposal, the Capitol River Council never got a chance to vote on the original relocation idea before it was shelved for fine-tuning.
So things are looking up for Dorothy Day. But keep in mind, dear Scoop reader, that there are some differences between the House, Senate and gubernatorial bonding recommendations, so this deal ain’t over ’til it’s over…