City Plans To Shut Down Sidewalks Near Downtown Homeless Shelter

ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI)– When it comes to the homeless in St. Louis, a new battle’s brewing between city officials and the Reverend Larry Rice’s homeless shelter.

People have been sleeping on sidewalks on Locust near Rice’s New Life Evangelistic Center, so the city plans to close and fence off nearby sidewalks.

The city also says it will take more aggressive action against the homeless trying to sleep in parks, using drugs, and relieving themselves in public areas.

The city says it will work with the Salvation Army and the St. Louis Crisis Nursery to provide help for the homeless and their children downtown.

They emphasize the sidewalks, not the streets, will be closed at least temporarily near the Larry Rice facility.