Dear Editor:

I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed single room occupancy units to be built at St. Philip's. The feasibility of such a project is at the top of the list of my concerns. A grant from the state of $916,000 was awarded to create 12 units with shared bathrooms and kitchen in an essentially windowless loft area with no access for the disabled. 

The church currently offers many robust programs which require more parking spaces than they have. In addition,  tractor trailers of food, trucks coming and going emptying the dumpster and donation bins, an army of volunteers and people dropping off donations make it a very busy corner of the village. More traffic will create more problems. For people coming without cars, there are no resources within walking distance, and no public transportation.

Even a cursory search on the internet shows better suited spaces available. One option on Route One is about the same size as the proposed site, on one level, with land to expand living space and for parking. It is within walking distance of a supermarket, a McDonald's and many year-round employment opportunities. The asking price is $180,000.

SROs are traditionally short term, transient housing. This format is less appealing to women, children and the elderly, who would have to wander down public hallways to use a bathroom at night. The space on Route One would allow for better living situations, perhaps with private bathrooms.

By their own admission,  no one involved with this project looked into other potential locations, of which there are several. Let's use funds wisely to create real solutions to the housing shortage.

Cynthia Pappas

Wiscasset