Residents of Manhattan's Upper East Side are voicing strong opposition to a proposed homeless shelter intended for individuals with substance abuse issues, citing concerns over safety and proximity to a well-regarded private school. The potential site, located at 1587 3rd Avenue, is situated just two blocks from The Dalton School, a prestigious institution with an annual tuition of $67,000.
A Change.org petition against the shelter has garnered over 6,300 signatures, according to reports. Critics argue that the proposed location, described as being in a densely populated residential corridor, is inappropriate given the presence of families, children, and numerous liquor stores and dispensaries in the immediate vicinity. The petition emphasizes that the area is traversed by major school routes used by children as young as five years old.
Heidi Berger, a real estate broker who has lived in a condominium directly across from the proposed site for decades, expressed concerns about potential crime and a decrease in property values. "It's going to be a disaster," Berger told the Daily Mail. "This neighborhood is filled with families, children."
Sharon Guerin, a lifelong New Yorker and parent, learned about the proposal through local online community groups. While acknowledging that individuals in the shelter system deserve support, she expressed skepticism about the chosen location. "Unfortunately the shelter system attracts the bad apples and outsiders that loiter around them, that's what ruins it for the people in the area," Guerin stated, referencing her own past experiences with the shelter system. She is particularly worried about her 10-year-old daughter walking to school.
Many residents, while not opposing homeless shelters in principle, believe this particular site is ill-suited. Pete Monsanto, whose daughter attends The Dalton School, believes the proposal is unlikely to proceed due to the area's affluence and influence. Monsanto, who has personal experience with the shelter system, advocated for careful consideration of facility placement.
Business owners have also voiced apprehension, citing past experiences with increased theft and safety concerns around shelters in other neighborhoods. One business owner, identified as Jon on Change.org, commented that a similar situation in the past made it "nearly impossible to retain my employees, as nearly all over them feared for their safety."
The mayor's office stated that the proposal is in its early stages and that the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is continuously reviewing potential shelter sites. "No final decision has been made regarding a proposed shelter at this location," a spokesperson told the Daily Mail. The office committed to engaging the community, including local officials and stakeholders, before any facility opens, should the project move forward.