Metro officials, nonprofit agencies and around 50-60 residents of a camp along the Cumberland River near Nissan Stadium are quickly working to relocate people out of concern that their tents are in the path of the planned Fourth of July fireworks show downtown next week.
April Calvin, director of the Office of Homeless Services, first alerted advocacy groups to the situation earlier this month; however, discussions intensified this week. A series of meetings involving emergency personnel, OHS and some homelessness advocacy groups, including one planned for Friday, have begun to hash out a plan. It’s still uncertain whether the residents will be moved out permanently or allowed to return after the holiday, but Calvin told the Continuum of Care general membership meeting on Thursday that she opposes anyone returning to the camp.
“I’m not a person that would ever entertain the idea of moving someone temporarily for a fireworks show and then bringing them back,” she said, calling such a scenario “very traumatic.”…