City leaders said there are about 5,000 people living on the streets, and the new center could help them find a place to live. However, some people are worried it will drive more homeless people into the area.
“If you see a bunch of homeless people all over here, like if they’re panhandling in the parking lot, I’ve seen my customers go in one driveway and back out the other,” said Iris Metzgar, general manager of Cervantes Restaurant.
“When the mayor announced this plan to move this new Gateway Center or start a Gateway Center at the old hospital, understandably,