Homelessness stymies downtown cleanup project
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Colorado Springs City Hall. Photo: John Frank/Axios
The Downtown Partnership is touting its $1.8 million pilot project to improve the safety and cleanliness of the city's urban core even as a debate rages about how to address homelessness.
Why it matters: The paradox is one of the greatest challenges in Colorado Springs, as efforts to revive downtown in the post-pandemic era collide with the city's growing mental health crisis.
Driving the news: The pilot tests whether private security, ambassadors, cleaning crews and homelessness outreach can address quality-of-life concerns before they escalate to a law enforcement response.
- In a presentation Monday to the City Council, leaders shared early data showing the Clean and Safe program is making a difference in public safety, business confidence and the downtown experience.
By the numbers: A year into the 19-month pilot, private security officers counted 2,850 incidents — only 2% of which needed a police response — and downtown ambassadors tallied 10,000 interactions with visitors, businesses and people experiencing homelessness.
- Homeward Pikes Peak outreach workers helped 135 unhoused people receive case management services. Another 158 are pursuing housing options, while 24 moved into permanent supportive housing.
What they're saying: Together, the project is working, Mayor Yemi Mobolade said in a statement. "Businesses are benefiting, people are getting connected to the services they need, and downtown is growing stronger," he added. The city put in $700,000 for the pilot.
Friction point: Homelessness remains the effort's main obstacle. Challenges include persistent waste cleanup, lack of enforcement tools and a limited ability to compel people into homelessness services.
- Officials said one small group of people with recurring behavioral health, addiction and homelessness issues accounts for many of the most visible disruptions.
The intrigue: How to respond to people experiencing homelessness led to a fiery discussion among council members during the presentation.
At-large Councilmember David Leinweber said the city needs to do more to help unhoused people.
- "I'm not comfortable with saying that our best tool is jail. That just goes against my being. We need to do better," he said.
The other side: District 1 Councilmember Dave Donelson vehemently disagreed, saying sleeping on the streets is a crime, and those people should go to jail. He said the mayor's office needs to address the issue through law enforcement.
- "We've put up with this for too long, and it makes our city unbearable," he said in reply to Leinweber. "They're breaking the law, and they should be punished for that. They should be jailed."
What we're watching: The pilot program expires in December, but downtown officials are asking for more permanent funding from the City Council to extend the operation and expand beyond downtown.