NEIGHBORS DISCUSS SHELTER PLANS

The uncertain future of a homeless intake shelter, at 237 E. 77th St., has become a concern for neighbors. Nikki Henkin, co-chair of the 100-299 East 77th Street Block Association, said the community was â??blindsided by the shelter when it opened 20 years ago. She and other neighbors held a meeting earlier this week to discuss potential plans for the site. â??It"s a proactive measure, Henkin said of the meeting. Anne Teicher is executive director of the Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter, which ran the intake facility. She said that St. James Church, the owner of the building, has no plans for the site, which lost funding from the city last July. â??When we do have a plan we will come to the community, Teicher said. â??We do not have any plans for the use of the building at any time. Council Member Dan Garodnick, whose aide attended the meeting, said he was reassured by the church that the community will be involved in future plans. â??They have committed to my office to consulting with neighborhood residents and having a thorough conversation before they make a final decision, Garodnick said.