By Geoff Page
The Rag had occasion to revisit the city’s homeless parking lot camp site at the City’s Maintenance Operations Yard Friday morning, October 6. During that visit, a couple of surprising bits of news were discovered.
It was learned that the city is building a new, bigger campsite and that the city has obtained an extension on the existing parking lot site permit.
Checking the news media following the visit did not reveal any information about the new campsite or the extension for the current site.
On Saturday, October 7, however, there was a brief mention in the Union Tribune about the mayor’s press conference on Thursday, October 7. During that conference, the account related the following about the new site.
O Lot
During a press conference Thursday, Mayor Todd Gloria said about 400 insulated tents would soon be available at O Lot, near the Naval Medical Center in Balboa Park. Each could accommodate two people, meaning up to 800 could potentially receive cots and sleeping bags.
A specific start date and the names of the organizations that will be in charge were not immediately known.
Clearly, not much information there.
During the Friday visit, an employee of the company managing the parking lot site pointed to the new site due north on a hill above Pershing Drive. A cyclone fence with the green privacy screen was clearly visible from the Operations yard.
The employee said that the new site would have 500 tents. This figure was 100 more than the 400 sites mayor said. The employee also said the new site was not paved, it consisted of hard packed dirt.
The Rag decided to have a look.
Looking at the site first from Google Maps, it was discovered it was at the very southern tip of Balboa Park. Maps showed three parking lots that were used for overflow parking. Using the Google Earth Pro history function, the lots showed as completely filled with cars at some times and vacant at others. It appeared these were overflow lots.
This writer visited the site on Saturday, October 7. It was not easy to get to because much of the land in the area belongs to the Navy, with no access. It appears the site is accessed off of Park Blvd. from Inspiration Point Way or through the Navy’s land.
The site was finally located. The campsites are on three terraces. They look like this:
Here is the view from the site looking southwest with the terraces to the left of the picture.
Counting the pallets from the pictures showed each terrace has seven rows of 15 tent sites each. That would mean the total number is 315 sites. Apparently, 315 is “about 400” according to the mayor.
These pictures were taken Saturday afternoon and there was no sign of any activity on a site that is obviously far from complete. No apparent urgency here.
The surface area of the terraces appears to be compacted decomposed granite, or DG. This surface will not be reflecting heat like an asphalt surface. The tents will be on pallets, which are visible in the pictures. This did not happen in the parking lot site. However, when it rains, the ground around the tents may become messy.
There are some serious problems with this site. The biggest is that the site is very isolated. There is no easy way to get from this site just to Park Blvd. From there it will be necessary to take a bus or a cab to access stores, there is nothing within walking distance. It is much more isolated than the parking lot camp that also has access issues.
The other major problem is that the site has no permanent utilities. Temporary electrical power is strung on temporary power poles. There does not appear to be water at the site and there certainly is not any sanitary sewer. The city picked another site that will need to be serviced by temporary services, which can be expensive. While at the parking lot camp, for example, a 1500-gallon truck arrived to supply the camp’s fresh water.
One wonders that, with all the real estate the city has, why some kind of interior accommodations out of the weather and with existing utilities, cannot be found. One has to wonder how far past this tent city the mayor has planned. If at all.
Information about the permit extension for the parking lot site could not be obtained over the weekend but will be pursued.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Great reporting, Geoff.
Thanks, Mat.
I am actually amazed that this story seems to have gone over like a lead balloon. I was sure there would be a reaction to this very first exposure of this new camp. Nothing but crickets for this scoop.
Thanks, Mat.
I am actually amazed that this story seems to have gone over like a lead balloon. I was sure there would be a reaction to this very first exposure of this new camp. Nothing but crickets for this scoop.
In a recent San Diego County court ruling, a trial court judge denied a request to dismiss a criminal complaint against a homeless woman for camping on a sidewalk downtown and thereby blocking public access. With legal assistance from homeless advocates, her petition claimed, among other things, she had a constitutional right to refuse a homeless shelter and remain on the sidewalk. The judge ruled she did not have any such constitutional right.
In her findings and order, the judge commented in dicta that in our society we live on what we earn. For those without the means for their own food and shelter who use public assistance and shelters, they must accept the inconveniences, limitations and restrictions of those shelters.
Of course, the City must provide reasonable accommodations for homeless and it would seem they have done that for now and are trying to improve as time goes on.
The complaints outlined in Geoff’s story fall squarely within the language of the court and seem gratuitous in light of the scale and scope of the homeless situation. For example, there is a bus stop within walking distance of this location.
While I do agree with some of what you wrote, Carl, I have to take issue with the word “complaints.” The deficiencies outlined here are not complaints, they are real failings of this site. I don’t see these failings as gratuitous. Not sure if you meant to be insulting, perhaps a poor choice of words.
You cited what the court said “they must accept the inconveniences, limitations and restrictions of those shelters.” And then you said, “Of course, the City must provide reasonable accommodations for homeless and it would seem they have done that for now and are trying to improve as time goes on.”
I am sure, in your profession, you know what the word ambiguous means and that is one big ambiguous lump. The gap between what some people would call “inconveniences” or “reasonable accommodations” is tremendous.
This article just tried to point out that a better effort needs to be made, effort that would not be unreasonable.
Walking distance to a bus? Where do they get the bus fare? Is this one-mile distance defined as walkable? Just curious. If that is the only way they have to get food, perhaps one of the food pantries could set up on the location, or maybe they do.
“Where do they get the bus fare? ”
It’s “homeless”, not “broke”. They are allowed to have money.
The bus stop on Park is a half a mile away and the first 600 feet from the camp is all up hill. So, anything they need to carry back they have to tote for 2,500 feet. Find a spot that far from your house and tell me you would not be inconvenienced by having to walk that far every time you left your house to buy groceries, without a car.
I agree that the walk to a bus stop may be unpleasant, but our city has determined that it is ok for ADU tenants, so why is it not reasonable for homeless folks? I once had to have my car motor replaced which took two weeks. I used the bus. My walk to the stop was .7 mile. I did not like it at all, but I managed, and once on the bus I kind of liked not driving.
Secondly, I am not doubting your analysis for a second, but it brings to mind a recent presentation given by a homeless advocate, who said (I paraphrase) that sure, the city’s camping sites are far from ideal, but still significantly better than downtown sidewalks.
Geoff, I get your point. To a point, I even agree. I certainly do not want to walk anywhere near that far on a daily basis given the choice (color me spoiled OR lazy, hell, color me both). But in the interest of realism, these unhoused aren’t lugging a weeks worth of groceries back to the camp in one trip in one day. Having said that, great reporting. I especially liked the letter to the U-T regarding the “Mess of Midway Rising” about the newly discovered underground sewer pipe.
It looks like a graveyard. I’m no expert on homeless camps, but I think people would be more willing to stay there, if they could form groups or enclaves. Put the pallets in circles, so people can have a social place in the middle, and they can watch their neighbors stuff when someone has to leave the tent area. Looking at the graveyard alignment, my first question was, “where do all of the bicycles go?”
Balboa park has been stolen from and dumped on since 1900. It has a Mega hospital, lots of concrete, lots of buildings, two freeways, the Sea World style theme park zoo, golf course, city vehicle storage, etc etc. All the parking on Park Blvd and one driving lane were stolen. More pavement then trees and grass. No, the homeless don’t need to be housed in this central urban park. Put em in East Miramar. And the writer doesn’t think downtown adjacent central Balboa park is near EVERYTHING?! Consult a map. Your old Thomas Bros.
When all you have for travel is your feet and you have to walk a half mile to the nearest bus stop, and back, I don’t call that near EVERYTHING.
One thing’s for sure. Since the “mega” hospital is a military hospital, it’s patients far more deserve the care and treatment they receive than you personally do.
Strange that what you say about Park Blvd. I thought you were a die hard YIMBY and would be more than stoked about the parking being removed. I know I am.
its
“… the “mega” hospital is a military hospital, it’s patients far more deserve the care and treatment they receive than you personally do…”
Chris, please explain this statement.
It’s just a quip at Amos. He (or she) seems to have an issue with it (Balboa Naval Medical Center) being there.