H Street encampment cleared Monday

For the second time in two years, the city had to negotiate with a self-proclaimed pastor to take down a place where people come to worship.  A final gathering at the HomelessChurch drew over a dozen people on Monday morning.  Leader, Ray Polk, says he's not going down without a fight.

“I indicated to the city that I can not, under any circumstances, tear down what God had me put up,” said Polk.

Meanwhile, city workers spoke to residents about the process of clearing out the encampments.

Mitch Long owns a business on H Street and Santa Clara. He's glad something is being done, but he says it's long overdue.  He's lost tens of thousands of dollars in stolen materials in just the last few weeks.

“I wish they'd have been camped out on the mayor's front lawn,” said Long, owner of Valley Pipe & Supply.

As for "HomelessChurch," City Manager Bruce Rudd says he spoke directly to Polk on Monday afternoon and the structure will come down.

“We will dismantle the church, as we did the last time.  We will store the material for 90 days.  [Polk’s] aware that's going to happen and based on my conversation with him, we have an agreement to that effect,” said Rudd.

Workers will finish cleaning the area on Tuesday.  The city is now working with property owners at 180 and Neilsen to deal with a fourth large encampment growing there.