WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | Task force review means no shelter at old hotel site for now

Task force review means no shelter at old hotel site for now

By Marisela Burgos - bio | email
Posted by Charles Gazaway - email

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - According to the Metro's Planning and Design Services department, Wayside Christian Mission will not be allowed to run its women and families’ shelter at former downtown hotel until a task force meets. That task force was scheduled to meet Friday, November 6 to start discussing options for shelters and where they fit in Metro's zoning districts, but the Planning Commission canceled the meeting.

Connie Ewing with Planning and Design Services said the meeting was cancelled because of possible conflicts of interest with some of the task force members.

"The Planning Commission has canceled the meeting in order to reevaluate the membership, based on new information regarding conflict of interest due to litigation,” said Ewing.

As a result, all of the task force members will be reviewed.

"As of today, the homeless shelter is not a permitted use on that site," Ewing said. "We do not want to undercut any of the work by the task force. We do not want to issue an interpretation now that could be contrary to the task force guidelines."

Nina Moseley with Wayside Christian Mission said she was advised that all she needed to do was ask for a letter of interpretation from Planning and Design Services, regardless of the task force and its meetings.

"This is absolutely ridiculous that we treat our women and families in this way," Mosley said. "Somebody is going to freeze if we don't get them into this hotel."

Wayside Christian Mission owns the former Hotel Louisville site in the 100 block of West Broadway. Even though they are trying to move into the property by winter, it still has a facility to serve as its women and families shelter. Wayside still owns their property on Market Street and is allowed to be there until August 2010.

WAVE 3 requested more information about the members on the task force and the reasons behind canceling the meeting. We were told every member is being reviewed and that the list has not been finalized.

WAVE 3 has learned one member in question is Dr. John Gilderbloom, who is part of the Original Highlands Neighborhood Association. The OHNA opposed Wayside's interest in the old Mercy Academy school location at 1176 E. Broadway. Gilderbloom said he thinks his membership to the task force is being questioned because he supports "the idea of regulating shelters with government oversight.”

Wayside does not have a seat on the task force and Mosley questions why Gilderbloom does.

"From the beginning, I think Wayside needs to be at the table,” Gilderbloom said.

According to Gilderbloom, a lawyer and a community activist are among the members being questioned.

"We need to have all the stake holders at the table. The hope is people come in with open minds and protect themselves," said Gilderbloom.

The new task force has not been finalized and Ewing said it is unclear how long it will take to finalize the list. However, Ewing said it will still be made up of homeless services, community agencies, and neighborhood associations. According to Ewing, the Jefferson County Attorney's office will determine whether there are any conflict of interests in regards to the members.

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