After acknowledging imperfections with the proposed site for the city's one-stop homeless center, commissioners voted Thursday not to rule it out but to evaluate other locations as well.
"There is no location in this community, or probably any community, where people are going to enthusiastically embrace an institution," Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan said at the meeting.
Commissioners voted 5-2 against denying the current site at 3335 N. Main Terrace.
The center was proposed in 2005 and would provide counseling, housing and shelter referrals, meals, education, job training, laundry and hygiene facilities, limited medical services, lockers, and telephones.
The special hearing overflowed City Hall's auditorium with homeless advocates and North Main Street residents and business owners. While about 75 people signed up to comment, more than half left before speaking.
"I thought this was a 10-year plan to end homelessness, not a 10-year plan to talk about it," said Kevin Hachey, a UF student who spoke at the meeting.
Most suggested finding an alternative location for the shelter. Members of the Association of Businesses and Citizens of North Main voiced concerns over lack of sidewalks, adequate lighting and transportation.
Residents of the nearby Stephen Foster neighborhood said they worried about crime given the nearby elementary school and daycare center.
"I think everyone can agree, this is the right idea, but the wrong location," said Michael Parsons, a Stephen Foster resident.
Others were concerned that the site was too unattractive.
"It almost sounds like we expect them to be kind of in prison for most of the day," said Jim Wright, executive director of the Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry.
Jon DeCarmine, director of the Office on Homelessness, said he would prefer a more permanent site that could provide overnight shelter.
"I support the GRACE Marketplace," DeCarmine said. "I support meeting people's basic needs. But I also believe there are perhaps better locations out there."
Some were in favor of the center's proposed location. Many participated in a homeless-rights protest held outside City Hall before the meeting.
"We're just anxious to get something done," said Bernie Zeldin, an Interfaith Hospitality Network volunteer at the protest. "This is the one that's up now. Let's pass it."
Two other locations were brought up for consideration: a previously examined location on Northeast Waldo Road and a new possible location on Northwest 53rd Avenue.
