Rocha says that the Detroit Rescue Mission tenants pose a danger to the children attending the three public schools adjacent to the YMCA building. She says the parolees housed at the YMCA were guarded, required to work and sent back to prison if they violated a single rule. But the homeless, says Rocha, will be able to roam the community. Linda Clark, Detroit Rescue Mission executive vice president, says she is frustrated by the criticism the 92-year old organization has endured since the potential sale was announced. She lists several programs that the Detroit Rescue Mission offers, including emergency shelter, latch key, medical services and housing placement for veterans, pregnant teens, substance abusers and others, but says that it has not been decided which ones the YMCA building will host.
Nothing is confirmed.
But this is cold comfort for the concerned neighbors of the Y, who are scrambling to find an alternate plan for the building. The YMCA is giving them until May 10 to propose a prospective buyer who will match or improve on the rescue mission's offer. Thebault says that he understands why the public is critical of the criteria and short timeline. Deb Sumner is the Southwest Detroit Business Association real estate manager and a YMCA board member who opposes the sale. She says that she and others have already found some developers who are touring the building, though nothing is definite.