SAN DIEGO — The San Diego City Council discussed lease terms for Mayor Todd Gloria's proposed mega-shelter at Kettner and Vine Monday.
The closed door meeting also included members of the city's Department of Real Estate and Airport Management, the economic development director and members of the city attorney's office. The council often discusses legal cases and real estate negotiations during closed session.
Mayor Gloria wants to build a 1,000 bed shelter in Middletown to address the homelessness crisis.
During public comment Monday morning, the council heard from several people who voiced their opposition.
"You're talking about 1,000 homeless people, all of these people are not Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts," said Kevin Arnold, President of the San Diego Neighborhood Coalition during an interview outside City Hall. "Some of them are hard criminals and they're going to commit crime."
The San Diego Neighborhood Coalition represents businesses and homeowners in Little Italy, downtown, East Village, Mission Hills, Hillcrest and other neighborhoods near downtown.
Mayor Gloria set aside money for the mega-shelter in his budget for the next fiscal year. The council is scheduled to vote on the budget Tuesday.
"Every time I have attempted to cite a shelter in a community, we predictably get folks who have concerns, that are fearful, that don't like change," said Mayor Gloria during an interview Monday.
"I also know in every instance where that shelter was constructed, those concerns dissipate pretty darn quickly, the fears of what's to come never come to pass, the fact of the matter is it improves the environment in that community because what you don't have is people sleeping on the sidewalks, instead you have them in a shelter getting them the care they absolutely need," he added.
WATCH RELATED: Protestors appear as Mayor Todd Gloria pushes for new homeless shelter (June 6, 2024)