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Demolition Day For Former "Homeless Voice" Shelter

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HOLLYWOOD (CBSMiami) - Demolition is underway of the former "Homeless Voice" shelter in Hollywood.

The shelter, on Federal Highway just north of downtown Hollywood, has been an eyesore for years to the people who live around it. Michael Jones lives right behind it.

"I'm kind of glad to see this place go. I hope they build something nice here, preferably an office building and not a hotel," said Jones.

Earlier this year, the city paid nearly five million dollars to Homeless Voice founder Sean Cononie for the property and the promise that he would not own property in Hollywood for 30 years. Cononie ran the shelter for more than a decade.

In March of this year, Cononie moved most of its residents to a motel in Haines City outside of Orlando.

Hollywood Mayor Peter Bober and several commissioners stood by as the demolition began. Though not officially invited, Cononie also watched from the sidelines.

For Cononie, watching his years of hard work and passion be torn down is not easy.

"We didn't fit in this area. Although sad, it brings good things to the city I think. I don't think it's going to solve the homeless problem but i think it will invite other business," said Cononie.

When the building is gone, the city plans to sell the site to a developer as part of their ongoing efforts to re-develop the Federal Highway corridor. Bober said his hope is that it will be a district filled with mid-rise buildings with retail and housing, replacing crime and blight.

"Residents of Hollywood should not have to travel to other cities to do their shopping. So bringing in new retail opportunities, making Federal Highway a place were people can live, not just roam up and down the streets, is really an important goal of mine," said Bober.

Nearby, redevelopment has already begun. Three new high-rise condo and apartment buildings are going up.

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