Downtown Lansing Inc. draws criticism for holiday market in park frequented by homeless

Advocates for those experiencing homelessness and their supporters are clashing with city and downtown leaders over Reutter Park, a place they said is newly decorated for the holidays but not welcoming for those living in the park.

The 400 S. Capitol Ave. park, within a few blocks of the state's official Christmas tree, is the site of the Kringle Holiday Market which has small, wooden sheds intended to shelter vendors and patrons from the cold.

The Kringle Holiday Market is scheduled to run from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays until Dec. 17. Vendors are selling food, holiday gifts and Christmas trees among other items.

"You built shelters for small businesses in a park known for serving the homeless," Gabrielle LaPorte wrote on the nonprofit's Facebook page. "And you guard them at night to make sure the homeless can't use them? This isn't what Christmas is about, this is disgusting!"

Many detailed on Facebook their shock and anger. Critics are concerned those experiencing homelessness are being pushed from a place they consider their own.

Market fans say DLI is making good holiday use of a typically underused park.

"Super cute setup! Just came by for dinner and dessert," wrote Facebook user "Jen Jen" on the market's event page.

Downtown Lansing Inc. Executive Director Cathleen Edgerly said no ill will was meant toward those experiencing homelessness even though they're not allowed in the sheds. Security is at the market "in the evening hours" to keep the sheds and vendor goods safe, Edgerly said.

Those experiencing homelessness can routinely be seen sleeping in the park across from the Ingham County Courthouse, often on grates that are part of the city's steam system.

Lansing police office have continued patrolling the park as usual, and none of the sheds or vendor properties have been damaged, she added. Lansing police did not respond to a message left Tuesday morning.

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Advocates, city officials and Downtown Lansing Inc. representatives met privately Tuesday to discuss the conflict, Scott Bean, the city's spokesman, confirmed.

Mike Karl, an advocate for those experiencing homelessness, attended the meeting after criticizing the sheds, calling them "...tiny houses used for this 'holiday event.'" He said the use of the sheds during National Homeless Awareness Week from Nov. 12-20 was "shameful."

Tuesday's meeting, he said, was for informational purposes only. Karl said officials seemed overwhelmed by the controversy the market has created. He said he stressed the significance of Reutter Park being a place where outreach groups could connect with those experiencing homelessness.

According to Karl, city officials and Downtown Lansing Inc. are looking to add a propane heater to a particular bench that many of those living at the park use, but Karl doesn't think that will solve the problem: People are at the park without a home.

"We still have shelters in front of unsheltered people," he said. "It was bad timing, it being national homelessness month and week. Even unsheltered people are people and they matter more than the sheds, the product in the sheds and the money it would pull in."

Bean said parks officials and Edgerly also attended the meeting. While Bean was not there, he said that “it went really well.”

He deferred further comment to Edgerly, who said there’s not enough space and resources to solve the city’s homelessness problem.

“Kringle Market shined a light on the need for those resources,” Edgerly said, noting ideas that were tossed around at the Tuesday meeting, which included the possibility of nonprofits renting the sheds to serve coffee, hot chocolate and other treats to those who reside at Reutter.

Lansing Mayor Andy Schor sent an email Monday to the State Journal Monday, which said in part the market is a "fantastic new holiday tradition" and uses space in the city's oldest park. He said he's wanted more things to do in the park for a long time.

"Taking up one full city block at just over three acres, there is plenty of space for many activities here — services, playground, market, etc.," he wrote. "The groups who provide services to those most in need there still have plenty of space to continue this work and the city has long supported their efforts."

Downtown Lansing Inc., Edgerly said, is willing to cooperate and listen to the nonprofits and outreach groups who advocate for those known to frequent Reutter.

She did not respond to a follow-up question by email about why the agency chose Reutter Park given its history as a place where those who are homeless or living on the streets during the daytime congregate.

Edgerly said the location will be used for "farmers markets, pop-up placemaking projects and things like that," once Kringle Holiday Market closes.

"It is all open to the public and available for anyone to use or to interact with in the park," she said. "We support, Downtown Lansing Inc. and Kringle Market, all permitted uses of the park space."

For several years, advocate Derrick Knox has helped those living at Reutter Park and nearby Porter Senior Apartments, trying to put them in touch with the proper resources.

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He estimated 10 to 15 people are still in the park after the past weekend's winter storm.

As of press time, some of Lansing's overnight homeless shelters are at or exceed full capacity. City Rescue Mission's overnight drop-in center at 601 N. Larch St. continues to accept those needing shelter.

Knox, who has an apprentice program Opportunity Knox, was asked to help construct some of the sheds because of his activism in the park. He said he employed some of those living at the park with small jobs on the project.

"We have folks that have worked hard on those sheds and not to see recognition was really demoralizing to them," he said.

Knox said he thought the sheds would have space for various homeless outreach groups, such as The Fledge and Punks with Lunch. Downtown Lansing Inc.'s vendor page for the market has no nonprofits booked.

"The initial plan was supposed to be that at least one or two sheds will be designated for folks that offer supportive services like us or The Fledge, Punks with Lunch or like any other supportive services, which was supposed to be the intent," he said.

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Edgerly did not respond Tuesday to Knox's claims.

One point of contention for many on social media, including Karl, was a photo booth stall that has a couch, blankets and a space heater.

Bean said the city only spent money on the concrete pad needed for Kringle Holiday Market's seasonal ice skating rink, which will be used throughout the year for other activities.

"Right now we are also letting DLI use a city portable generator, but the costs of that will be billed to DLI, so there is no cost from the city," Bean said. "We (city and DLI) are working with BWL on getting a permanent power supply solution to that site for future use."

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Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at (517) 267-1344 or knurse@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @KrystalRNurse.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Downtown Lansing Inc. draws criticism for holiday market in Reutter Park