Preliminary discussions about a homeless resource center in the vacant Easter Seals building on Stock Island have riled residents at the Key West Golf Club, many of whom are vehemently opposed to such a facility near their gated community.

Angry residents were knocking on the door of Monroe County Commissioner Kim Wigington's house this week after word of the proposed project spread. They also filled her e-mail inbox with opposition and concerns about crime, vandalism and property values.

"With this homeless shelter proposal by some softhearted, well-meaning liberal saints and activists, this is a disaster in the making of untold proportions that will forever change the image of Key West," wrote George Maffei, who states he owns an investment property at the golf club, but does not say whether he lives there. "Our beautiful island will be no more since it will look like Haiti or other third-world island if they allow these transients to feel so comfortable at the proposed shelter with free food, free sleeping quarters, etc."

The day center would provide showers, lockers, computers, benefit information and other referrals, but not sleeping quarters. The Keys Overnight Temporary Shelter (KOTS), farther down College Road, provides the homeless a free, safe place to sleep.

Maffei threatens to sell his property if the shelter comes to fruition, and warns it will bankrupt the golf club.

Wigington said she understands her constituents' concerns and also is frustrated by the proposal to move homeless residents out of Key West and onto Stock Island.

While some homeless advocates accused the golf club residents of having a NIMBY (not in my backyard) attitude toward the project, Wigington said the city is demonstrating the same by wanting to remove the homeless from its highly visible locations at Higgs Beach and Bayview Park, and "put them somewhere out in the county."

"To my knowledge, we in the county have not even been asked our opinion," Wigington said.

The facility would cost the Monroe County Sheriff's Office more money and increase traffic on Stock Island, she said.

Homeless people already converge en masse around KOTS, waiting for it to open in the evenings. The golf club homes are on the opposite side of the horseshoe-shaped College Road.

When reminded of those two facts, Wigington said the golf club residents likely opposed KOTS as well.

"But it's restricted, and once people enter for the night, they can't leave," she said. "Plus it's on the other side of the road, which I imagine makes a difference."

Homeless advocates who have proposed the facility also suggested the former Hickory House restaurant as a possible location.

"That's ridiculous," Wigington said Thursday. "The homeless would have to walk all the way down MacDonald or Maloney Avenue and they would be only 8 feet from people's bedroom windows. That's a $3.5 million boondoggle that the taxpayers are already paying for."

The county bought the Hickory House in 2006 in the vain hopes of making it a public marina, then in 2008 put it back on the market -- after property values had tanked -- where it's stayed.

Wigington said Key West should designate space for a homeless day facility within the physical confines of the island.

Project leaders on Friday said focus group meetings will be necessary.

"We certainly intend to connect with the county and we need to get some focus groups together as soon as possible to involve all the stakeholders," said Wendy Coles, executive director of the Southernmost Homeless Assistance League, which Key West Mayor Craig Cates asked to explore the possibility of a day shelter. "We do want to hear from folks and we'll set up as many meetings as are needed to make sure we understand all perspectives from the community."

mmiles@keysnews.com