From his popcorn stand on Church Street in Burlington, Paul Buschner has seen people walk by with all their belongings on their backs.
Three times, Buschner has paid for new birth certificates or IDs for homeless people whose belongings were stolen. In the 15 years that Buschner has operated his A-Maize-ing Kettle Korn cart, he’s spoken with people who have lost prescription medication, important documents and other personal items.
Now, the New North End resident is spearheading a project to construct 40 secure lockers where the homeless could safely store their belongings for free. Buschner’s still finalizing the cost estimates, but figures the total will come in between $5,000 and $10,000 for building materials, locks and possibly a security camera.
Buschner hopes to have the lockers completed in downtown Burlington by midsummer.
“I see people burdened by their stuff,” Buschner said. “They can’t go to the doctor’s, can’t go grocery shopping, can’t get into the store with a big backpack.” Lockers would help “give them some dignity and security.”
The Salvation Army has offered a site for the lockers, which would be built under an awning near its South Champlain Street building.
Burlington airport director Gene Richards has agreed to donate unused lockers, and Mountain Air Systems in Williston will refurbish them at no cost. Other community leaders and organizations have also been supportive. Buschner shared his idea with Mayor Miro Weinberger in March and will discuss it at the Chittenden County Homeless Alliance in May.
Salvation Army Lt. Scott Murray agreed to designate a brightly lit spot off the parking lot where people could access their belongings anytime. Salvation Army staff members would oversee the distribution of keys, clear the snow in winter and provide support services to users, Murray said. The individual lockers will be four feet tall and 16 inches wide.
Currently, the Salvation Army keeps belongings in an office while guests eat daily free dinners. “Just off the top of my head, I can think of 50 people who need [lockers],” Murray said. “They’re kind of at the mercy of a backpack.”
City Councilor Dave Hartnett (D-North District) said he didn’t expect that the project would require city council approval. If it does, Hartnett has agreed to sponsor the resolution.
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Secure lockers for the public would be nice. We used to have them in the US before 9/11, and most European train stations still do without incident. Backpacking here just sucks if your hotel or hostel isn’t central.
I think this is a great idea! My one concern is that the Salvation Army will not give access to homeless/transient people who are also members of the LGBTQA community. Any way for the city to support the lockers in a public space? Always thought a indoor public space with lockers and showers would be great for the community.
There’s a lot of empty space in the mall. Space for overnight too.
Sinex doesn’t want the homeless bringing down the property value of his mall. He will build his token affordable housing in the basement because he has to but there is no money for him in helping the homeless.
“Sinex doesn’t want the homeless bringing down the property value of his mall. He will build his token affordable housing in the basement because he has to but there is no money for him in helping the homeless.”
Is your house open to the homeless? Yeah, didn’t think so.
Apples and oranges but I’ll indulge you. My house is not open to the homeless. It’s not a business either. However, I don’t expect Sinex to build a mall and welcome the homeless, not that he should, because his goal is to make money on the mall and not shelter the homeless. Therefore, I suspect the large mall with empty space for overnight stays will not be used as such.
It’s not apples and oranges just cuz you say so. Your snarky (but totally predictable) anti-mall comments imply (along with Leaterhune’s) that Mr. Sinex is anti-homeless, that his affordable housing commitment is “token,” and that he has some duty to house the homeless because the mall is “a business.” There is no basis for any of those attacks. But, then again, that never stopped any of the anti-mall zealots.
And the subject of this article was the Salvation Army and the homeless, not Sinex or the mall. They’re not mentioned in the article. But leave it to Leaterhune and you to turn any thread into an excuse for your never-ending anti-mall rants.
When you open your own house to the homeless, or when you buy a private property on Church Street and donate it as a homeless shelter, feel free to come back with another snide and baseless attack on Sinex for being “anti-homeless.”