Mayor Gloria Abandons Kettner and Vine Shelter Proposal

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria announced the abandonment of a proposed 1,000-bed homeless shelter at Kettner and Vine due to ongoing skepticism from city officials and financial concerns. The decision follows a year of negotiations that faced criticism over the project's high costs and potential operational challenges. Gloria emphasized the need to find alternative shelter solutions, presenting options such as leasing a privately owned property on Second Avenue and utilizing two city-owned sites: the Old Central Library and the City Operations Building. Critics had noted that the proposed lease was above market rates and could result in significant financial burdens for the city. Gloria reiterated his commitment to expanding shelter options, stating that getting people off the streets is essential. The city council is set to discuss these alternatives in a meeting scheduled for February 10.