Lincoln Center Closed Temporarily Due To Code Violations

(KNSI) – The Lincoln Center Homeless Shelter is closed indefinitely as it works to complete necessary renovations.

The facility was shut down by Health Director Matt O’Brien in a letter on May 8th. St. Cloud officials gave the shelter until Thursday at noon to relocate residents and operations were stopped. Community Development Director Matt Glaesman says Lincoln Center is required to be in compliance with a couple of licenses, per city code.

“There’s the food service license and the lodging license. And beyond those licenses, there are a number of permits that are required by specific trades to implement the project that was approved, to have these sleeping rooms in bay two and then an enhanced day-service space in the front bay. So, that’s what we simply had not seen enough progress on.”

Glaesman says the focus needs to be on these changes rather than caring for residents.

The work includes retiling the floors, bringing in equipment for the kitchen, as well as the sewer/sanitary and HVAC systems. Glaesman says the police department is stepping up patrols in the area while the shelter is empty.

“Understanding that the building is vacant, we’ll allocate additional trips by the building to make sure it’s still secure. But in the end, that is still the organization’s responsibility.”

Lincoln Center will only be reopened when the necessary changes have been made. A lodging establishment and food establishment plan review was first submitted by Homeless Helping Homeless, the operator of the Lincoln Center, on April 22, 2021. Progress on those improvements has slowed in recent months.

St. Cloud Councilwoman Karen Larson provided KNSI News with a statement on the issue. The shelter is located in her district, Ward Two.

“It is my hope that in the future, the facility will be this site of a properly resourced and well-managed shelter that will be an asset to the city of St Cloud and all of its citizens.”

Staff at the shelter speaking on condition of anonymity say when Lincoln Center reopens, it will look like it should have from day one.

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