JimmyMAC: Downtown CDA has overcome a lot to be where it is today. It wasn't long ago that downtown was regarded as a financial sinkhole when attracting solid tenants. I don't think it is unsympathetic to protect what has taken years to build. From what I have read, this will not be a "homeless shelter". However, I have not heard any of the people from St. Vinnies discounting the fact that it will inevitably attract homeless loiterers. Perhaps downtown is resilient enough and could coexist with this. However, we can learn alot from other communites and that history teaches us that what so many of the leaders and risktakers of this community have worked so hard for could be deeply jeopardized. I hope that St. Vinnies ends up getting a great facility and I would personally help in any fundraising cause that would benefit them. We have to remember that not every business owner in the CDA downtown district is making money hand over fist. Many of them are hardworking people that are just getting by who employ other hard working people who are just getting by. They all add to the charm of downtown and unfortunately the reality of this is that this move could put some of those people out of their jobs.

DFO: I might be considered a snob but I agree with JimmyMAC. Coeur d'Alene leaders have worked too hard to upgrade the central business district. A center for the homeless only blocks away would introduce an element that would drive potential shoppers off. Sorry, but that's the facts. St. Vinny's needs to look elsewhere. Now, if we could only do something about the average drunks spilling out of the Iron Horse and the rich drunks spilling out of the Beacon on Sherman Avenue ...

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