Drunk Tank

If you can't beat 'em, house 'em. Some chronic street alcoholics can make up to 30 trips a year to Seattle hospitals. Officials estimate they can cost the city up to $100,000 a year each in jail stays, hospitalization and emergency services. So the city has decided to house up to 75 of them in their own apartment building. There will be medical personnel on hand, but residents will be allowed to come and go as they please and to drink on premises. Neighbors say the building, which hasn't yet opened, has already hurt their property values.