Pico Neighborhood Association on City Council Vote: "A Significant Achievement"

Thanks to all who involved themselves in the "No Skid Row Here" effort. Your email, presence and council addresses got us what we wanted.

The Council voted to keep the drop-in center at the bus yards. The real impact of a street presence that would have degraded our quality of life has been averted. Skid row will NOT be here.

The property will be owned/controlled by the City but leased to OPCC for a shelter. The residual space left by the absence of the drop-in center will be some kind of affordable housing component.

The issue of social service and public housing dumping in the Pico neighborhood and the issue of City spending are still open. For the first time such issues are part of the public consciousness. That is a significant achievement.

The most ironic and telling moments came while the council made their remarks before voting. The Council, with the exception of Holbrook, mirrored the public sentiment but reversed the villain.

They complained bitterly about the PNA process, the distortion of information, the faction interests, the emotional response. Mayor Bloom's own emotion caused him to utter profanity from the dais.