It seems that the Greensboro City Council is always handling at least one hot potato – and usually more.
Right now, some of those hot potatoes include the contamination at Bingham Park, whether or not to put contaminated soil from the park into the White Street Landfill, and, of course, front and center, what to do about the Interactive Resource Center (IRC) – the downtown Greensboro homeless center that has been the subject of a myriad of complaints from nearby businesses and residents.
Over the last several months, especially, both the Greensboro City Council members and the Guilford County commissioners have received many complaints about everything going on around the center including fights, public urination, drug use and drug dealing, people living out of their cars parked near the center and threatening the clients who use their businesses.
The City of Greensboro has been a long-time partner of the facility and, on Wednesday, June 17, the city released a formal statement regarding Greensboro’s funding future of the project after the City Council met earlier in the week.
That statement said that, during the City Council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, July 16, the council members discussed funding for the Interactive Resource Center and stated that it wished to offer a “clarification” regarding those discussions that took place at the meeting the night before.
“The action taken by the City Council does not defund or deny funding to the IRC,” that statement reads. “In response to operational concerns, the City Council requested the IRC to submit a Plan of Action to address those concerns – prior to awarding any additional funding.”
It also notes that, before the July 16 City Council meeting, the Resource Center – a homeless center at 407 E. Washington St. in Greensboro across from the Depot – was asked to provide the requested plan at other meetings.
“However, the information was not submitted,” the statement from the city noted.
“Last night, the City Council requested for the IRC to submit its Plan of Action by Tuesday, July 23 ….The City Council is prepared to review the information and discuss it at a work session on Thursday, July 25. If the IRC addresses the City’s concerns, funding can be approved during the regular City Council meeting on Monday, August 5.”
The center doesn’t offer beds to the homeless; however, it is a place where they can escape from the heat, get a shower, check email, etc. The number of complaints about the center’s operations seemed to have ramped up largely after the IRC went from being a “day center” for the homeless to a center that began opening up for night hours as well.
The Wednesday statement from the City Council came on the heels of two heated discussions regarding the center at the last two council meetings – including a very confrontational discussion at the council’s July 16 meeting that prompted the clarification from the city.
City officials seem optimistic that there will not be a need to cease funding for the Center.
“The City of Greensboro and the IRC have partnered for many years, fostering a productive relationship,” the statement reads. “The City looks forward to this relationship continuing.”
Makes sense to first attempt to fix the problems versus abandon critical services for those in need. Maybe the council should set a reasonable date for the issues to be resolved and if not met, then pull funding. Draw a red line and force them to get their act together.
Interesting read. What is really going on? Seems like requested Plan of Action request have basically been ignored and numerous snafus by council keep growing. Council invited this mess. Will our tax dollars continue to be whizzed into the wind? Does council think buying time will help the situation? Seems like a similar situation the county had when some children were killed in a house fire. Is the State of NC going to get involved with this too?
The IRChas it’s share of problems, but for me it been a godsend. I am employed and looking for affordable housing . A hot shower a place to rest up ,and receive my mail. It is a moral booster for me.
I watched the meeting on video. The speakers who came up to speak in favor of the IRC getting the requested money did not help the IRC cause a lot. A young lady with a very smug attitude threw around some accusations and insults mostly directed at Zack Methaney and various other business people. Demanding the money be released because….well…..she demands it. Then Jason Hicks got up there and did his usual routine calling Zack Methaney a “scumbag” a couple of times, and going through his taunting bully routine because he knew they would sit there and allow it. Then the people against the additional funds all made calm, cogent, and reasonable explanations of why they favored holding the money until changes were made. They were mostly surrounding business owners and the pastor from a nearby church who were all having similar problems……gunfights in the street, open drug deals, sex in the bushes…etc. Just really causing havoc for all the surrounding businesses who told of the daily routine of picking up needles, cleaning human waste, soiled underwear, and using feminine products from their loading docks, parking lots, and plant beds. Their customers are threatened in the parking lots and sometimes require escorts just to get to their cars leaving the business. The ambulance and fire departments now refuse to go to the IRC on emergency calls because they no longer feel safe without a police escort……generally not a good look for the IRC.
It seems the IRC was experienced in working with one group of homeless and/or people in need, who wanted the IRC services to improve their situations. The IRC was keeping more business-like hours with rules to follow. By all accounts, the council members seemed to agree they did a great job at that. But, after becoming a 24/7 shelter they have drawn a completely different group of people who are less interested in services, not at all interested in rules, and the IRC is not equipped to handle it. If these problems were happening around the Tanger Center and the upper-class patrons were stepping over used needles, poopy shorts, human waste, and free sex shows nightly, this problem would be solved in a jiffy. Why do these other business owners need to beg for help over and over? They need to get the IRC back to doing what it does best and find another option for the hardcore homeless. They are doing the surrounding businesses as well as the people who can benefit from the IRC a disservice by allowing this to continue.
There was no “smug young lady”. What you saw was a scoff following being interrupted over and over by Zack Matheny. Obviously you weren’t present, so perhaps you shouldn’t speak.
WHOA has been the only vocal defense of the IRC. Currently they are running a petition, a boycott on anti-houseless businesses, and countering the perverse narrative being perpetuated by a handful of greedy profiteers and their propaganda machines posing as news. You typed a lot just to reveal your ignorance.
The snobs and ten cent millionaires in Northwest Greensboro look down on homeless people. These people need compassion, not condemnation. These people are mentally ill and they need help. Let’s help these people by providing housing for them and get them off the street, Diagnosed and on the right medication.
problems follow ‘problem’ people wherever they are & wherever they go. whoever interacts with them is abused by them. ask any ‘responder’ required to interact with them. it’s how mental illness is expressed by their behavior & the best i can do is identify then avoid them. only some are bums ? howbout barracks & lockers for the homeless ?
There is a lot of vacant land in Summerfield some millionaire investor could buy and provide a homeless shelter for the homeless, you’re guaranteed your money back from the federal government and then some so what’s the problem? Mr. couch are you listening?
I wonder if Roy Carroll is listening too. The problem needs to be solved, not with the band aid approach. So when we have a homicide, something will get done then, but for now turn a blind eye.
“…you’re guaranteed your money back from the federal government and then some so what’s the problem?”
So what’s the problem? how about “…you’re GUARANTEED your money back from the federal government and then some…”
News Flash – the federal government gets the “…and then some…” money from where? Anybody…anybody?