The decision by the Zoning Board of Appeals to approve the Code Blue facility on Walworth Street drew the expected legal action from the neighbors. The neighbors had previously successfully appealed the decision by the ZBA denying their challenge claiming it was filed too late. After granting the neighbors a hearing the ZBA then reaffirmed their original decision to allow the shelter. In a prepared statement the neighbors announced that they wanted to work with Code Blue and other stakeholders in the community to find an alternative location for Code Blue.
Here is the story from the February 6, 2018 Saratogian. http://www.saratogian.com/general-news/20180205/saratoga-springs-board-sued-over-shelter-decision
Saratoga Springs Politics 
The paper reported that the aim is to help & assist “non-sober” individuals.
Interesting choice of words.
No wonder why the Salvation Army backed out.
Just sayin.’
-JC
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Not sure which paper but they clearly are using pejorative language. Though many, not all homeless are suffering from an addiction. That said, addiction is a disease as is mental health. These are people who need our help more than most – not less. As for the Salvation Army, I know they help any yet I also know (from being in meeting with staff from there) they tend to be biased and hold beliefs that are “old” at best and judgemental at worst. I struggle with those who continue to refer to any group as “Those people” with a clear slant toward contempt as opposed to compassion.
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Gayle–About the Salvation Army…
They have every reason to be biased. They have been doing it for over 100 years and there has not been a problem they could not tackle until now. Homelessness and addiction are not diseases, Gayle. They are the consequence of making bad decisions, bad choices. Just like alcoholism.
-JC
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I think it’s sad that they are blocking SOS from building another shelter. It needs to be near the original shelter, and it needs to be in town.
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How do you feel about the “non-sober” qualifier?
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Read my comment above. Because a paper says it, doesn’t make it necessarily true or proper.
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It needs to be built in your neighborhood us westenders are tired of being the dumping grounds for the unfortunate…..spread the good news to other neighborhoods throughout the city try being fair it’s easy!
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West side has always been targeted for this stuff. Watkins, Stonequist for example. SOS, Franklin Community Center, etc.
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138 Lincoln Av.
With its floating stone facade–looks like a shelter, alright.
It’s a corner lot and has a bus stop.
Five Points is right down the road and Siro’s & the track 2 blocks away.
A great solution for a fine neighborhood.
Perfect!
-JC
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This Eastside vs. Westside stuff has got to go away… Broadway is hardly the Mason-Dixon line, but if you insist, then consider that West of Broadway you also have Saratoga Hospital and a seperate clinic, a fire station, the High School, Empire State College, BOTH post offices, AMTRAK and (technically) Skidmore. No one complains that these resources – most of which serve the entire city, are placed on the West Side.
Last time I looked, the East Side of town had Jefferson Terrace. Did it move?
We are one city, with one set of resources, and sadly, one set of urban problems. We can best attend to these problems by finding the best locations for resources that will be helpful.
The fact is, the SOS property on Walworth is the best possible location for Code Blue, because of the ability to share scarce resources and personnel, attend to security matters with said trained personnel, and provide for a continuum of care – Code Blue clients will be able to observe a great example of people bettering themselves right next door. If Shelters were on East Avenue I would say the same thing.
(For the record, I can walk to the SOS site on Walworth in 2 minutes. )
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Nice speech but a blight is still a blight and unfortunately, real problems come with ones need to save the world this area of the west side has had enough and glowing generalities won’t change that……and leaving the decision to a judge is even scarier.
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I agree about the judge – but it is the neighborhood that is working the courts. Shelters/Code Blue went through the planning board / ZBA process. I hope the judge agrees with both of us and gives this suit the boot it deserves.
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There is a big empty lot over on Union Avenue right next to King’s Tavern. Maybe Code Blue could go there?
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Everyone is overlooking one very important fact:
Most all of these folks seeking assistance are NOT native Saratogians.
Now that the CDTA public transit is in full swing, expect more out-of-towners to avail themselves of Saratoga Springs in all its opulence and generosity. Same thing happened down state and it’s coming here, too.
Be careful!
It might be hard to accept but there are people whom would love nothing better than to take advantage of the system. For some, that’s all they know. It’s not a problem, so long as the city has the infrastructure and resources.
Some say it might not be a bad idea to qualify those in-need.
Are they local Saratogians in need of help? If not, they need to get back to Schenectady; etc.
Maybe the city should opt to pay their bus fare back from whence they came.
It may prove a lot cheaper in the long run.
So, how is it that this is OUR problem?
-JC
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Myths…
While Saratoga may be a more well-off community, the Code Blue facilities are not likely to be confused with the Adelphi Hotel, let alone the Design Motel.
These are not pleasant places – these are places of survival. Don’t look for them to be featured in Travel + Leisure.
Visit for yourself and see the reality – it is grim. Anyone who travels up from Schenectady because they think Saratoga’s “Chez Bleu” would be better than what exists where they are, is going to be disappointed real quickly … what is true is that panhandlers come to Saratoga from elsewhere because we are wealthier (which is why Shelters has stressed not to give them money, but rather put it into the donation boxes). Many of them commute each day to their “job” and go home their abode at night… but these are grifters, not homeless people, and you won’t see them at Shelters or Code Blue. I would have no problem whatsoever if the police would enforce the laws against aggressive panhandling as fully as legally possible. Our Chief of Police has stated that we are dealing with two different sets of people here.
And I am mystified as to how we determine how someone is a ‘native Saratogian’ or not, when, by definition, a homeless person lacks an address… Do I have to vouch for the fact that they sat between me and Justin on a barstool and bought us a round once? Need some guidance as to what the litmus test is here.
Finally, I love Henry’s take, although I might note that the infield at the Racecourse is even more spacious… The parcel he refers to on Union and East is currently owned (JK: pls check this if you can) by the Stewarts Corporation. It has not been developed because of a battle over who pays for the extraction and replacement of the old Neilen’s Citgo gas tanks… No gas, no Stewarts. So they might be motivated to sell – of course, Shelters already owns the land where their application was approved, but WTH – it’s only money – and we know all Saratogians are just dripping in it, so let’s ask someone to write a big check – easy peasy….
(Truth be told, I had my eye on that parcel myself; was going to buy it and put Saratoga’s first Hooters franchise there. But I’m willing to put my dreams aside for the benefit of mankind.)
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Yea, Hooters would have fit there, believe me, 22 neighbors don’t want it there,why is this goofy process where it’s at?…..The problem is the Boards….nobody or anybody sues the city council they sue the boards why???,,,because they decide politically.
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