Day-labor center in NE on hold (D.C.)

The Washington Times ^ | 11-9-07 | Gary Emerling

[JZelle]

A D.C. Council member's plans to place a day-laborer center in Northeast appear to be at a halt as officials struggle to find a property to house the site and community opposition to the center grows.

“I don't know if there is ever going to be a final” resolution, said council member Harry Thomas Jr., Ward 5 Democrat, who proposed placing the center near a Brentwood shopping plaza to connect day laborers and others with jobs. “I would just say, 'Stay tuned.' ”

As many as 200 mostly Hispanic day laborers congregate each day at the shopping plaza, which includes a Home Depot and Giant grocery store, looking to link up with contractors for jobs.

Residents have complained that some of the workers loiter, drink alcohol and urinate in public.

To solve some of the problems, Mr. Thomas secured $500,000 in city funding to build a “multicultural training center” that would serve both day laborers and neighborhood residents.

The council member in May said he hoped to place a temporary facility at the plaza by June, with construction on a permanent day-laborer center to begin by the end of the year.

Officials have not been able to find a location for the day-laborer center, in part because both the District and Home Depot own land in the plaza.

City officials hoped Home Depot would donate use of a parcel for the facility, which the company has not done.

[JZelle]

One way or another

[MrEdd]

Debbie Harry?

[patton]

Put it in the parkinglot reserved for congresscritters.

[mtbopfuyn]

Beefed up security and repeated calls to ICE and from the Home Depot management should solve the problem.

[dakine]

Build it in NW D.C....the folks there will enjoy it....

[Moose4]

Can we build it right outside the Mexican Embassy in Northwest?

}:-)4

[Mojohemi]

Build it at the steps of the Capital in DC