Poughkeepsie City Council may sue Dutchess County over homeless shelter plans

"

The Poughkeepsie City Council was scheduled to vote Tuesday night on whether to take legal action against the Dutchess County government over plans for an adult shelter in downtown that the city does not want. As Julie Pizzarelli showed News 12 around her downtown business – Duces Grill and DC Indoor Golf – she said she hopes the city and county's dispute about where to put a homeless shelter yields a humane but also business-friendly solution. She said the business has lost customers who have become scared of some of the regulars on Main Street. "You want to help them if you can," Pizzarelli said. "But we're a business that serves a lot in the evening…and it's hard because you don't want to approach them and you don't want people approaching you." The Dutchess County Legislature approved plans on Aug. 12 to use a state grant worth $13 million to turn a vacant building on Oakley Street into an adult shelter. City officials have shared concerns with county officials that the shelter's residents may further disrupt business downtown. They want the shelter located outside the city. Reached by phone Tuesday afternoon, Poughkeepsie Mayor Yvonne Flowers said she is working with County Executive Sue Serino on potential alternative solutions. One possibility, she said, is to build shelters in communities around the county and use the Oakley Street location for another purpose. Flowers said she would discuss alternatives with the City Council before they decide whether to sue the county challenging the Legislature's decision. "There are poor people in America. I'm sorry," said Scheherazade Chestnut, a student at Dutchess Community College who is currently homeless. He fears a court battle could delay the shelter project for years. He said that after the closure of other shelters in the county, he is stuck on the streets. "DSS has my Facebook and all my government information, but they can't give me…any shelter," he said. "And I got to sleep on the streets?" County Executive Sue Serino told News 12 in an emailed statement Tuesday that even though the Legislature has already approved the shelter plans, she is still considering changes. "I believe there is a way to change up our plans to alleviate the city’s concerns while staying within the grant award parameters and delivering the critical supportive service model that we are committed to," Serino wrote. "I met last week with Mayor Flowers and she was very positive about my idea ... Ultimately, we all want a project that is successful in helping people. We look forward to sharing more details as information is solidified.” "