| Community
fears vacant MMHC building will be safety hazard, hotspot for misuse
The Roxbury
Tenants of Harvard is a non-profit housing and human services organization
dedicated to improving the social and economic status of the Mission
Hill community.
Because it owns
and manages many residences in the Mission Hill area -- including
the majority of houses along Fenwood Road -- Michael Schneider,
the executive director, said that his organization plays a huge
role in the redevelopment of the Longwood Medical Area.
The situation
with the Massachusetts Mental Health Center poses several concerns
for RTH and Mission Hill residents, according to Schneider.
Like other members
of the community, Schneider worries about the building being unoccupied.
| "[It
is] sad to see them go.... Rich, poor, scraggly--but
they're all being helped, and I guerss that's what's
important. " |
| Gloria
Rodriguez, a neighbor living across the street from
Mass. Mental Hospital. |
|
"The back
of the main building directly abuts Mission Park and the Neville
House," Schneider said, speaking of two of the organization's
buildings, "and as much as we organize after-school programs
and activities for kids in the area, I can't help but think of the
potential for mischief with an unoccupied building being so close."
Schneider also
mentioned that construction is not due to begin for another few
years.
"We want
to see the ball start rolling," he said. "We're sorry
that the state has to move Mass. Mental in the first place. It's
been a member of the family for a lot of years, now."
Many in the
Mission Hill community share Schneider's sentiment, praising Mass.
Mental's commitment to care of individuals regardless of their financial
circumstances.
Gloria Rodriguez,
who lives in a three-family home owned by RTH directly across the
street from Mass. Mental, said she is "sad to see them go."
"You see
all sorts of people going in and out of that place," she said.
"Rich, poor, scraggly -- but they're all being helped, and
I guess that's what's important."
Schneider said
RTH strongly supports Mass. Mental's return and although he was
initially worried about DCAM's intentions, he believes "they're
coming around."
"The most
important thing the Division of Capital Asset Management can do,"
said Schneider, "is continue listening to the community."
MARTHA
BARTLE
|
