Lincoln Center Could Increase Capacity This Fall

(KNSI) – A controversial homeless shelter in east St. Cloud is a step closer to increasing its capacity. City council member Mike Conway asked for the update during Monday night’s meeting on the Lincoln Center.

It is currently operating with under ten residents, but that number could more than double to 29 later this year. St. Cloud Community Development Director Matt Glaesman says the homeless shelter has installed a ceiling sprinkler system as required. He says the facility is waiting to build individual pods in the back area.

“We spoke as recently as last Friday with the operators of the facility. And they indicated that they are on schedule for a November 1st opening in the full form that you’ve approved as part of the conditional use permit amendment. So, we’ll be at full capacity at that point.”

Last Spring, the St. Cloud Zoning Board of Appeals approved a conditional use permit to allow the shelter to expand capacity with a sleeping area, office space for social workers and nurses, a dining area, computer banks, a secure entrance and increased staffing.

The no-barrier homeless shelter has raised concerns from neighbors and businesses in the area who’ve complained of increased crime, including everything from trespassing, urinating in public to assaults.

City Councilmen George Hontos says those issues haven’t gone away, and he continually gets phone calls from people in that neighborhood.

“The local businesses are still struggling. And they still have a bad situation. And it’s just not pleasant for a lot of those residents. And basically, they’ve given up on the city doing anything. And that’s the storyline.”

At a public hearing regarding the expansion in June, some neighbors and business owners expressed support for the center because of complaints of homeless encampments and nowhere for people to go. Others said they no longer feel safe in the neighborhood because of the shelter.

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