Scenes from today's Centennial Campground closure, and the reopening of Sullivan Arena as a homeless shelter. Plans for how Anchorage will expand its shelter capacity remain in flux as city leaders disagree on how to best move forward.
A person who had been living at Centennial Park loads his bicycle into an AnchorRIDES bus to be transported to the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Centennial Park Campground closed Saturday. The city provided transportation from the campground to the Sullivan Arena throughout the day Saturday. Saturday morning air at Centennial Park Campground, where the couple and about 200 other homeless Anchorage residents have been living since summer.
Keith Jackson and Jena Callahan stand outside the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. The couple left Centennial Park Campground early Saturday morning for spaces at the Arena. Assembly leaders and several members say they are frustrated by Bronson’s continued resistance to using the Golden Lion for housing or substance abuse treatment, even in an emergency situation. It’s an option that’s far less costly than using Sullivan Arena and better for getting homeless residents back on their feet, they say.
Some campers said they would not go to Sullivan and instead plan to stay at the campground, though water would soon be shut off and the bathrooms locked on Saturday. One woman refused a ride to Sullivan because her cat could not come. Others who want to stay with their partners at night also refused.
Parks and Rec staff gave bags and totes to campers to pack their belongings. Anything they wanted to keep that didn’t fit in two totes or two bags will be stored for up to 30 days at the campground, Johnson said. Some are from its time as a shelter, like repairing broken windows and doors, damaged seats, railings and cleaning up graffiti, Johnson said. The most expensive repairs involve tasks like replacing more than 50 arena flood lights that don’t work or fixing a leaking roof over the VIP room — repairs that have to do with wear over time and the 2018 earthquake, she said.
Another change is that the facility’s new operator, Henning Inc., is made up of staff that all have one degree or another of lived experience on the streets, in recovery or with incarceration. “That was a hard no for us. We know what happens in port-a-potties,” Hayes said. “Drugs. Assault. Death. OD’ing.”
George Kehm sits on a cot after arriving at the Sullivan Arena from Centennial Park Campground in Anchorage on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. The remnants of vacated shelters are left next to campers at Centennial Park Campground in Anchorage on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Closure of Anchorage’s Centennial Campground begins, and homeless residents are bused back to Sullivan ArenaThe closure of Anchorage's Centennial Campground is beginning. Now, homeless residents are being bused back to Sullivan Arena, which previously served as an emergency shelter and will return to that use, with a capacity of 150 beds.
Read more »
Campers say goodbye to a temporary home, as Centennial Campground closes tonightThe Centennial Camp, which acted as a temporary homeless camp in Anchorage, closed its gates Saturday at 5 PM. According to the Municipality of Anchorage, they will not be forcing campers who are already at the site to leave. However, no new campers will be allowed on the property. Workers spent Saturday circling around the campsite advising campers to go to the Sullivan Arena.
Read more »
Bronson administration prepares Sullivan Arena as homeless shelter, but plan for sheltering hundreds more remains undecidedThe Assembly’s initial plan for emergency shelter included using the Sullivan to shelter 150 people and leasing 85 rooms in the city-owned former Golden Lion Hotel. The mayor’s office wants to expand capacity at Sullivan.
Read more »
'It's a lot': Homeless residents at Anchorage campground get ready to move out following days of uncertainty“It’s kind of a little nerve-wracking,” said Lenny Concepcion, who's among roughly 200 homeless residents who must leave Centennial Campground on Saturday. “Where am I going to move my stuff?'
Read more »
Alaska News Nightly: Friday, September 30, 2022Tonight on Alaska News Nightly... Storm damage in Newtok increases the pressure for residents to relocate. Also, homeless campers in Anchorage prepare to move back to the Sullivan Arena. And the school bus driver shortage continues. Listen here:
Read more »