May 9, 2013 – Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske today thanked 6th
District Councilmember Dee Andrews and City Manager Pat West for their recent
efforts to locate a homeless services program run by Mental Health America to a
location on Long Beach Blvd., and issued the following statement on the announcement
that escrow has closed on the Long Beach Blvd., property:
“For more than 6 years, the City Council has grappled with
how to best accommodate Mental Health America – a homeless services provider –
in order to meet the requirements of the federal government as a condition to
receive 4.6 acres of surplus Army property once known as Schroeder Army Hall at
Willow Street and Grand Avenue. Initially a site adjacent to the City’s Public
Health Department was selected. After community concern about the selection,
additional sites were reviewed.
Three years ago, I brought a property to the attention of
City Management as a possible alternate site. Unfortunately, it was not
immediately available but through the efforts of both Councilmember Dee Andrews
and City Manager Pat West the property is now owned by the City of Long Beach
and will used to satisfy the federal mandate that in order to receive surplus
property, the City must accommodate a homeless services provider.
The result of these efforts means that the Eastside Police
Substation, now located in the 4th Council District in leased
property, will be moved to the 5th Council District and placed
permanently in the Schroeder Army property. This will relieve the crowding at
the current site and the City will no longer have to pay a very large lease
payment.
I want to thank Councilmember Dee Andrews and the City
Manager Pat West as well as most of the other council members who did not use
this sensitive situation for political purposes but supported finding a
sensible, humane solution to helping the most vulnerable of our residents so
that the City could receive this surplus military property.”