Council OKs Talks With Development Team
Wednesday, Oct 6, 2010 | Updated 10:03 AM PDT
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The San Diego City Council has voted unanimously to talk with a development team about turning the downtown World Trade Center building into a permanent homeless shelter.
Homeless advocates say it is a historic opportunity to help the needy and Tuesday's vote moves the city a step closer to the $31 million, one-stop service and housing center for 225 people.
The center would replace the city's annual winter shelter, a tent erected between November and March. City officials say every year they face a hassle trying to find a place to pitch it.
A spokesman for the public affairs firm representing nearby property owners told the San Diego Union-Tribune there were concerns that the center would become a magnet to the homeless and lower property values.
