Local News in Brief : San Diego

At the urging of Mayor Maureen O’Connor, the San Diego Board of Port Commissioners on Tuesday approved contributing $100,000 toward the construction of a Transient Men’s Day Care Center in the Centre City East area of downtown.

In doing so, the commissioners joined the city, county and other private groups and businesses in supporting the construction and operation of the $300,000 facility, which would be built on land leased from Caltrans at 17th and J streets, next to Interstate 5.

The facility, according to the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, would be an alternative to living on the streets during the day for about 100 homeless men. It would be outfitted with lockers, showers, a recreation room, television and would also offer job referral and other services to those wanting it.

The mayor and Commissioner Louis Wolfsheimer said it was in the Port District’s self-interest to support the project because many homeless men now wander through much of the district’s waterfront property, such as the Embarcadero and Seaport Village.

“It’s good business for you in the long run and good for the city,” O’Connor told the commissioners, who approved the request unanimously, pending an analysis of the contribution by the Port District’s lawyers.