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Tent City Proposal Under Review

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By RAY REYES

rreyes@tampatrib.com

Published: February 11, 2009

TAMPA - More than 100 East Lake Park residents attended the first community meeting Tuesday to get information on a Catholic Charities proposal to establish a tent city for the homeless near the neighborhood.

The county rezoning hearing on the issue, originally scheduled for Feb. 17, has been pushed to March 16. East Lake Park resident Hal Hart, the only speaker at the meeting, told attendees they should keep abreast of the proposal as it progresses from zoning hearings to the final vote by county commissioners.

"This is not the type of homeless service to put here," Hart said. "This is not the solution to the homeless problem."

Catholic Charities, run by the Diocese of St. Petersburg, initially proposed a tent city for about 500 people who would share dining, laundry and recreational facilities on about 12 acres at 6410 E. Hillsborough Ave., north of East Lake Park.

In January, charity officials modified the proposal, saying the tents eventually would be replaced by small temporary wood shelters, or casitas. Homeless people would be screened before moving in, Catholic officials say. There also would be on-site security.

Hart said a concern is that a tent city of 500 would draw homeless people from across Florida and other states. Similar structures are in use at a seasonal tent city near 126th Avenue and 49th Street North in St. Petersburg.

Joanne O'Brien, vice president of East Lake Park homeowner's association, said companies looking to build along the Interstate 4 corridor would be driven away by the tent city. Schools and businesses, including the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, are nearby.

Sheila Lopez of Catholic Charities attended Tuesday's meeting but declined to comment. Lopez said her organization went to the town hall meeting to be "avid listeners."

William Rettig and his wife, Michelle Cooke, bought a house in East Lake Park three years ago, their first. The couple said they were there to learn.

Cooke, 25, said she is compassionate about the homeless but that with the slump in the housing market and recession, homeowners must do what's best for their families.

"I just want an adequate solution," Cooke said. "This doesn't seem like a genuine attempt at helping people. It seems like a dumping ground."

Rettig, 28, said setting a tent city near the casino "seems like it would be a disaster."
Catholic Charities President Frank Murphy told The Tampa Tribune in January that the charity "is not trying to create a problem for anyone. Hillsborough County has a street homeless problem, period."

There are about 9,000 homeless in Hillsborough, according to Catholic officials.

O'Brien said East Lake Park residents who are against the tent city proposal are not against the homeless.

"They deserve better," he said. "They need to be closer to where the services are."

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920.

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