October 2022 | Vol. 04 Iss. 10
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MILLCREEK RESIDENTS DIVIDED ON HOSTING OVERFLOW HOMELESS SHELTER By Sara Milano | s.milano@mycityjournals.com
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n Sept. 15, Millcreek residents and policymakers gathered at the defunct Calvin S. Smith Library, 810 E. 3300 South, to discuss the temporary overflow homeless shelter that will be located there for 200 days this winter. City officials plan to accommodate about 100 individuals experiencing homelessness in the space each night as the weather grows colder and sleeping outside becomes less viable. Mayor Jeff Silvestrini was unequivocal in his support for the overflow shelter, saying “in my view, it’s a moral imperative.” Local residents who oppose the facility, however, were equally unyielding. “For the people who live on these two streets, it’s already a train wreck…we are in a high-risk situation for direct disruption of our lives and the police will only be there to clean up the mess after it happens,” a man who lives nearby told the crowd. Local business owner Trae Eller added, “We just found out two weeks ago. Let me tell you that we’re going to drop a bomb by your house in two weeks with no preparation time, no explanation… we’d be insane if we weren’t worried.” The Utah State Legislature required each city in Salt Lake County to propose a location for the shelter. Many other proposed locations were not viable due to lack of resources or opposition from property owners. None of the other potential sites had an open floor plan, running water, and heating and cooling. In the end, Silvestrini explained, “The Calvin Smith Library was the only choice.” The facility was selected on Sept. 1, after which city officials hurried to make a plan for Residents gather in the now defunct Calvin Smith Library for a public hearing about the temporary homeless shelter opening there. (Sara Milaits operation and schedule a public hearing for residents. The no/City Journals) Continued page 9
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