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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Mayor Earmarks $450,000 for Hygiene Centers
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
9/18/2003 10:30:00 AM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Office of the Mayor (206) 684-4000
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Mayor Earmarks $450,000 for Hygiene Centers
Seattle - Mayor Greg Nickels announced today his proposed 2004 budget includes $450,000 for hygiene centers to replace or expand lost hygiene-center capacity. The mayor's proposal will fund a temporary, self-contained hygiene center, most likely located in Pioneer Square, and could also support women's hygiene facility operations, such as Angeline's Day Center.
The temporary hygiene center would probably feature five showers, as well as sinks and toilets, and would likely be sited under the Viaduct near the Compass Center, located at 77 S. Washington St. A temporary facility would be expected to operate for about 18 months while the Compass Center is closed for renovations due to damage suffered in the 2001 Nisqually earthquake. The Compass Center provides services to homeless men, including hot showers and toilets.
"There should be no question about this city's continuing commitment to the needy - that's a given," said Nickels. "I will not let budget problems dismantle our safety net. While the city cannot afford to fund a one-to-one replacement of showers lost to hygiene center renovations, we can offer this interim solution."
"When the walls of the Compass Center cracked open at 10:55 a.m. on Ash Wednesday, 2001, an entire village was destroyed," according to Compass Center Director Rick Friedhoff. "On an average day, more than 500 people relied on the Compass Center building in Pioneer Square to meet their basic needs. Our newly renovated facility will not just improve the lives of homeless men and women; it will enhance the character of our community and uplift the dignity of us all. In the meantime, we appreciate the Mayor's efforts to ensure hygiene facilities will still be available in this neighborhood."
The department of Human Services (HSD) will administer the funding dispersal, which would cover both set-up and operating costs of the temporary hygiene center. The city's department of Fleets and Facilities (FFD) would provide HSD technical assistance for the siting and utility hookup of the prefabricated, temporary hygiene facility. FFD estimates it would take approximately 45 days to make such a center operational, once the prefabricated unit had been leased. In addition, HSD will administer a selection process for any funds not spent on the temporary center. These funds will support women's hygiene facilities.
The city explored a variety of options for providing and supporting hygiene facilities, including use of the showers located in the now mostly unused Public Safety Building (PSB), slated for demolition starting in 2004. Maintaining and operating PSB shower facilities for 18 months is estimated to cost in excess of $500,000. The Mayor's proposed option is less expensive, locates the facilities closer to existing services, and will also provide some funds to increase existing women's hygiene services.
"I support the Mayor's cost-effective proposal for maintaining hygiene services to our homeless citizens when the Compass Center closes for renovation," said Councilmember Nick Licata. "The Council and the Mayor must jointly respond to the request put forward by The Downtown Seattle Association and the Seattle-King County Coalition for the Homeless to find a location to relocate these services. I look forward to working with other Council Members to build support for this proposal in the 2004 budget."
Nickels will deliver his 2004 Proposed Budget to the City Council on Sept. 29 at 2 p.m.
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Office of the Mayor
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