Greene Square is not a campground

The city of Cedar Rapids should not sanction a downtown squatter’s camp but maybe a discussion is warranted. Greene Square is not a campground nor are the exteriors of First Presbyterian Church, Waypoint, Grace Episcopal Church, the former Guaranty Bank parking lot or the Cedar Rapids Public Library (CRPL) drive-through entrance. But they are campgrounds for the homeless as of this writing. All are located near drinking fountain (in the park), the port-a-potties (near the 4th Avenue train tracks), the Saturday Salvation Army food truck, and the CRPL washrooms and cooling center.

I believe there is an alliance addressing this issue. What about a temporary campground (for the homeless) downtown — say from May 1 through October 1st? Does an abandoned parking lot exist (with moderate street lighting and not adjacent to a working business) that could be used as an overnight “residence” for the homeless (8 p.m. until 8 a.m.)? Several temporary canopies (in an orderly fashion as to not be an eyesore — like the ones at the farmers market) would help. Clearly, there is a percentage of the homeless population that is not interested in staying at a shelter when the weather permits — choosing to stay overnight outdoors. Would there even be a city liability issue if there is no signage and the canopies just happen to be there? Perhaps the local social service organizations could assist in a word-of-mouth communication directly to “the campers.”

Are there options to make this situation better?

Thomas Marshall

Cedar Rapids