EDITORIAL – Concerns about ‘access hub’ location should be no surprise

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.

THE PROPOSAL to turn the old Butler Auto & RV property into a 24/7 “access hub” for the homeless raises the old question — is there such a thing as a good location for these things?

City council is contemplating the issuance of a temporary use permit that would allow BC Housing to lease the property and ASK Wellness to operate the hub.

The idea of such a facility has been percolating for quite some time. It’s a different way of approaching the homelessness issue in Kamloops, a comprehensive centre that would provide both accommodation and a full range of services.

There would be housing for 44 people in need of emergency shelter, with meals, washrooms and shower facilities, storage space plus “culturally safe social and health services, amenity space and connections to housing, supportive employment and wellness opportunities.”

After Butler Auto closed its doors in July, the property was purchased for redevelopment by ARPA Investments. A lease to BC Housing would run for 20 months for the shelter and access hub. ARPA would, meanwhile, make plans for a new long-term use for the property.

But the proposal is already raising concerns among nearby business owners, who have had some bad experiences with the homeless population and worry about problems being inflated if the facility is approved.

On the other hand, ARPA contends that neighbourhood concerns can be addressed.

At first glance, the location seems sound. It’s at the south end of the Tranquille Road corridor, away from the main shopping core and residential neighbourhoods. Still, there are a lot of businesses in the immediate vicinity.

Neighbourhood concerns have to be considered. The North Shore Business Improvement Association is in an awkward position — it’s been the key voice for businesses struggling with social disorder-caused problems in the area. Its Wilson House offices are also located across the street from where the hub would go.

But the NSBIA has also been a leader in the search for solutions, including the concept of the access hub.

No housing or service facility for the homeless has come without controversy around location. Even the long-ago suggestion to build a facility north of the city and pretty much away from every possible conflicting use was shot down.

In other cases, such as Moira House, nearby neighbours objected but were ignored, and have been paying a price ever since. The bus-depot shelter immediately caused problems for businesses nearby. The former Fortune Motel was snapped up by BC Housing before anyone, including the City, had time to think about it.

In the case of the Butler property, at least there’s a public process due to the use-permit question. That process began at this week’s council meeting. There will be another opportunity for public input at an open house hosted by BC Housing and the Kamloops Access Hub Leadership Group on Nov. 21 (5-7 p.m. at the McArthur Island Sports and Events Centre). And, public submissions will be on the agenda of the Nov. 26 regular council meeting when the TUP comes up again.

It will be a surprise if the project doesn’t go ahead as planned but this process beats the way some of the others have been handled. It does, though, confirm once again that there’s simply no perfect place for such facilities — someone is always going to feel negative impacts. The key is to keep them to a minimum.

Mel Rothenburger is a former regular contributor to CFJC-TV and CBC radio, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Webster Foundation Commentator of the Year finalist. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor.  He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.