Austin City Councilmember Greg Casar is turning to residents for ideas on the future of the old Home Depot in his district.
Austin Police Association President Ken Casaday has a suggestion, a temporary homeless shelter. Casaday said it should not be a long term shelter but points to City leaders like Mayor Steve Adler calling this is a 3-5 year problem so, “for the next 2-3 years, I think they should turn that into a temporary shelter for the homeless, since we keep claiming that these people don’t have anywhere to go. So let’s give them a place to go.” Casaday agrees with Mayor Adler and Councilmember Casar, this is a long term issue, but he believes the City needs some short term solutions as well.
Casaday said Councilmember Casar has long championed for the homeless in Austin, and is now calling on the progressive city leader to do more in his own district. “If we’re going to push all these changes and work with the activists with they Sit, Lie and Camping ordinances, then you need to step up and accept some of these individuals in your district. And a fantastic place would be the empty Home Depot that sat there for years.”
The City owns the site and Councilmember Casar will host a community meeting Monday November 4th, at the People’s Community Clinic from 6pm-8pm, about what should be done with the old Home Depot site. (Correction: It was previously reported the meeting was scheduled for Monday Oct. 28th. The meeting is Nov. 4th)
(Photo:Shutterstock/Philip Arno Photography)
