O P I N I O N

THE SOAPBOX

Stand up. Speak up. It’s your turn.

I have been looking at the old Cohas Shoe Factory at 252 Willow St., the open floor space in that building looks to be enormous.

There was an article about the plans two developers have for the land and buildings in Manchester Ink Link recently — 14 October 2019.

The city may be able to do a bit of horse-trading and get the use of the building to help fight Manchester’s homeless epidemic. The city would get the use of the.building for perhaps two years but certainly no more than five. In return, the property taxes on the building would remain the same during the city’s occupancy or use upon the city’s return of the building to the owners, the city would extend the tax rate for a period equal to the city’s use.

The city of Manchester is restricted as to the use of the building as a shelter for the homeless only.