Friendship Lodge Plans Before Public Again Tomorrow Evening

Monday, October 01, 2007 03:47 AM

Tomorrow, the public will have a chance to hear more about the plans for 1656 Queensway, that is the now empty lot which used to be home of the Backpacker Motel.

The City of Prince George is considering an OCP Amendment and a rezoning application for that site. The application is for what the City refers to as “a proposed 30 unit transitional housing development to be named the Friendship Lodge”.

The City’s ad for tomorrow evening’s public consultation session (which will take place at Ron Brent School from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.) doesn’t suggest this is a done deal, however, local residents who oppose the project are concerned they are just being called to go through the motions.

They point to some of the signs of a project that is ready to go ahead, even though the City has not yet approved the necessary changes. There is already a design for the three story “Friendship Lodge” and the Prince George Native Friendship Centre has already issued brochures referring to the facility as its “newest resource” which is the result of a partnership between the Prince George Native Friendship Centre, Northern Health and BC Housing.

The brochure also says Friendship Lodge will “assist individuals with mental illnesses and/or physical disabilities and those with drug and alcohol addictions.”

This evening, City Council will also receive for information, a letter from the Provincial Minister for Community Services, Senior’s and Women’s Issues; Ida Chong.

In the letter to the Mayor and Council, the Minister doesn’t refer specifically to the current OCP amendment process in Prince George, but she does talk about the need for communities with a population of more than 25 thousand to develop community plans which have zoning for facilities where the homeless , the mentally ill, or those with drug addictions can get supportive help . She also makes reference to the opposition to such facilities “Although the reaction to this type of accommodation can be fearful or negative from some members of the public, I encourage you, in your position of leadership, to make the decisions that ensure our communities are inclusive for all.” The letter is copied to Rich Coleman, the Minister responsible for B.C. Housing, and George Abbott, the Minister of Health.

It is expected that in addition to Planning Department staff from the City of Prince George, there will also be representation from B.C. Housing and Northern Health at tomorrow evening’s public meeting.

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Posted on Monday, October 01, 2007 03:47 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on October 1 2007 7:43 AM

That is so bad!

Ida Chong says towns with a population of more than 25 thousand must zone for sumbag facilities, and pick a spot in your town to throw away.

So let's watch the crocidle tears as council feeds the bums at the expense of some of the oldtimers that built this city. The area of the city between "downtown" and the Hudson Bay Slough including the Ft George Park is the area being picked for this town's slum.

Why didn't the city pick a nice spot right across the street from City Hall to house the bums instead of wrecking another part of town? I'm disgusted.

Posted by: REALIST on October 1 2007 8:44 AM

disgusted or disgusting?

Posted by: Raparee on October 1 2007 9:18 AM

Yama, there are already mental health residences scattered throughout the city (Iris House, Hazelton Residence, Davis Drive, etc...), there are already residences for those dealing with substance abuse problems (St. Pat's), there's already housing for the homeless (Bridgit Moran), and for the physically/developmentally challenged. None of these places have wrecked the town or their neighbourhoods.

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on October 1 2007 4:22 PM

Maybe Raparee checked with the neighbours? How close are these residences to your house Raparee?

The new "Lodge" is a warehouse fly trap, not a "residence". Different scale, plus it is within an easy hike of the "streets".

No I wrote that right, I am disgusted for sure. Disgusting is what happening to the people in that neighbourhood.

And if you make a living off increasing the numbers of street bums, then you are disgusting.

Posted by: Buzz on October 1 2007 4:36 PM

YDPC: Charming.

Posted by: Harbinger on October 1 2007 5:12 PM

Become a substance abuser and all the bleeding hearts will fall all over themselves helping you with your life. What a world.

Posted by: Raparee on October 1 2007 5:32 PM

I don't live in town, Yamma, so it's unlikely that a residence would be opened in my area, but if a residence along the lines of Friendship Lodge were to open in my neighbourhood, I'd really have no big problem with it.
The goal of the place is to provide housing for homeless, or at-risk-of-becoming-homeless people - housing that they will pay for... it's not free - and giving them the support they need to overcome their addictions, or to help them manage their mental illnesses.

What's wrong with that?

Posted by: Norm1 on October 1 2007 7:23 PM

I have a "community Home" in my neighborhood. It is my next door neighbor.

It has been there for many years after first being a private residence. Many years relates to about 27 years. The neighborhood is 33 years old. the community home has never been a problem HOME. Many neighbors were initially stressed and upset....you know...the NIMBY syndrome. It was first an AIMHI home when Tranquille closed in Kamloops. This lastest for many years until AIMHI changed their focus to a more semi independant living situation. I still see and talk to a couple of former residents when I see them on the street. They are still struggling. It is currently a residence for other clients attempting to get back into society and is connected to Iris House. They are also struggling to reconnect with society, family and former friends who have deserted them.

I imagine most current neighbors don't even know what "perceived evil "lurks in their neighborhood.

See you at the meeting Yama. I wonder if I will be able to guess which person you are.

Cheers

Fear of the unknown is an amazing fear.

Posted by: bitter on October 1 2007 7:36 PM

I wonder where Ida Chong lives ? I bet it's not by any Homeless Shelter and I bet if was in your area of town you would have a problem with it also, Raparee. Anyone with any common sense knows a compound housing people with drug addictions and mental health Issues should not be around schools and parks but then maybe the children in the areas around this compound don't count, maybe they are considered low class. Well, maybe you concerned people should do some good and pick up the needles around the school yards in this area as there seems to be a problem as to whose job that is. Why would you want to bring more problems into the Downtown as we don't serve coffee on the HILL. One molested child nulifies all the good this project might do as there could be pedophiles housed here as well.

Posted by: Raparee on October 1 2007 7:49 PM

Yes, there could be pedophiles housed there, but then there could be a pedophile living right next door to you right now. Who knows? To prevent the opening of a much needed shelter because someone who might live there might be a child molester? Nonsense. And regarding "bringing more problems into the downtown", where do you thing the homeless are living right now? Yup. Downtown.

Posted by: Palopu on October 1 2007 8:09 PM

Interesting discussions, however as usual the City has everyone concentrating on the area that they want to locate this facility, when in fact there are other options that they dont want to discuss.

We presently have a facility for the homeless etc located at 6th Avenue in the Old Liquor Store, right across the street from the Outrigger Restaurent. Guess what? The City owns the old CKPG building adjacent to the outrigger, and the parking lot etc on 5th and Quebec. This is some of the area for the **Metropolis**, All they would need is to purchase the Kings Inn, and the Outrigger and they could locate the Friendship Lodge adjacent to the present Homeless Facility and we wouldnt have to have it located in any other area.

I suspect that this property is being kept for much more **deserving** clientelle seeing as how it is adjacent to the new gaming centre, and Days Inn. Maybe the City has a plan to relocate those presently in the 6th avenue facility to the 17th and Queensway facility. Who knows? In any event we certainly have some options.

Posted by: bitter on October 1 2007 10:26 PM

There are lots of Homeless people downtown I agree, but how many are from Prince George?? How many came here and are still comming here to live in the nice new Homeless Shelter downtown. There is a big difference living next door to a few Aimhi people compared to 30 drug addicts that don't have to take treatment.I agree anyone could have a pedophile living next door since Prince George has the facilities for them and they are being brought here from Ontario and we are not being told when they are next door. The bottom line is the property is not Zoned for this project. The saftey of the CHILDREN in the area should be everyones main concern. The meeting is for the people in the area to express concerns and we have lots so,Norm I hope I don't see you at our meeting

Posted by: Harbinger on October 2 2007 12:11 PM

Hey bitter. Just snuff out the candle and the moths will go away. They won't die. They will just go away.