Aid for Homeless

As a retired military man who strongly opposed the construction of the new Navy Hospital in Florida Canyon, I now oppose the Planning Commission’s vote “to raze all but three buildings of the old Navy Hospital complex.” At a time when caring San Diegans are agonizing about the plight of the homeless, it is a shame to destroy buildings that can be converted into shelters.

Of course, I am not so naive as to think that this will be considered when the disposal of this property comes to be discussed by the City Council. It seems to be axiomatic that those who cry the loudest do the least, especially those who are in a position to do something truly humanitarian as well as realistic.

Among those buildings that are now destined for destruction are several that could be converted into family apartments; others could serve as dormitories for single transients, both men and women. The newest building, the main medical center, should be turned over to County Mental Health Services to serve as a hospital for the mentally handicapped. This would probably be the most important utilization of this property.

Objections to this proposal will be legion, ranging from the cost to the fallback position that “the greatest portion of the land (will be turned) back to green space” per “the promise made to voters in 1979.”

However, I would suggest that the unspoken bottom line is that many San Diegans who wail about the poor, the homeless and the mentally disturbed, especially at this time of year, will hotly oppose what they perceive to be the sullying of Balboa Park by providing facilities for those in need. I can only hope that I am wrong.

EDWIN O. LEARNARD

San Diego