| Re: "From homeless shelter to funky condos?" by Amy Steele, News, January 19 - 25, 2006.
The comments of Calgary Downtown Association executive director Richard White, in his Calgary Herald column on January 7, 2006, regarding the possibility of the Calgary Drop-In Centre being transformed into funky office, condo and hotel by 2016, were taken out of context in the Fast Forward article. White’s column clearly states the idea of the Drop-In Centre being transformed into a condo is one of several "wild card predictions," not his or the CDA’s vision. In addition, the column clearly indicates the Drop-In Centre would be replaced by "three or four shelters" and therefore would not leave "thousands of Calgarians with nowhere to go." The CDA and White have the utmost respect for the work done by the Drop-In Centre and all the other agencies that are trying to help those in need.
The CDA is committed to a vibrant downtown that accommodates people from all walks of life. We will continue our work with the social agencies, as is evidenced by our Outreach Workers Program, helping to connect those in need with the agencies and to ensure the agencies programming needs are achieved. We recognize the need for shelters and affordable housing exists throughout the city and believe it will need to be provided in multiple locations in the future.
Ken Dixon, chairman, Calgary Downtown Association
Editor’s note: The information in the Fast Forward article was based on an interview with Richard White conducted by Amy Steele. The quotes in the article came directly from White, including: "Certainly all the information I’ve read is the need for boutique shelters that are for 100, 150 or 200 people is more appropriate than warehouse facilities where everyone gets thrown into the same space" and "The reality is that as land becomes more valuable, it may make prefect sense for them (Drop-In Centre) to sell the building at a profit…." White also acknowledged that his vision is "a bit out of mainstream thinking." |
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