Title
Renaming the portion of Main Street between Old Sixth Street West and Tenth Street West to be Dorothy Day Place.
Body
WHEREAS, the Dorothy Day Center, opened in 1993 by Catholic Charities as a drop-in center for people experiencing hunger and homelessness in Saint Paul, was named after a world-renowned journalist and activist who devoted much of her life to working for social justice; and
WHEREAS, in response to serious over-crowding at the Dorothy Day Center in 2013, Catholic Charities developed an ambitious plan to construct Higher Ground Saint Paul, a new 278-bed overnight shelter and 193 units of affordable housing, on the site of the former Labor Centre at 411 Main Street and, in a second phase, the Saint Paul Opportunity Center with additional housing across Main Street on the site of the former O’Halloran & Murphy Funeral Home; and
WHEREAS, when completed, the two new buildings will create a campus-like setting where people experiencing homelessness can find a range of essential services to support their efforts to build more stable lives; and
WHEREAS, Catholic Charities and the abutting property owners have petitioned to rename the portion of Main Street between Old Sixth Street West and Tenth Street West to be Dorothy Day Place as a way of branding the campus for those most in need of its services; and
WHEREAS, the St. Paul Heritage Preservation Commission reviewed and recommended approval of the request on November 3, 2016; and
WHEREAS, the request was reviewed and recommended for approval by the CapitolRiver Council on January 18, 2017; and
WHEREAS, the portion of Main Street in front of the former 411 Main, in 2002, was co-named William Mahoney Street in honor of The Honorable William Mahoney, Mayor of Saint Paul from 1932-34 and long-time advocate for working people and organized labor (CF#02-306);
RESOLVED that the portion of Main Street between Old Sixth Street West and Tenth Street West be renamed Dorothy Day Place; and be it
FINALLY RESOLVED, that honorary co-named designation of William Mahoney Street be maintained until an appropriate alternative location can be identified.