A homeless man in a downtown Phoenix park expects he will be told to leave the park during this weekend’s free Final Four concerts.
That's not going to happen, according to the city.
A City Phoenix spokesperson said normal homeless outreach will continue through the festivities, but those without a home in Margaret T. Hance Park will otherwise be left alone.
“[The] city's trying to make a good showing… so why would you want a bunch of homeless people around?" Martin Ringgold, who is homeless, said.
Ringgold’s temporary home on Tuesday afternoon was a shaded patch of grass in Hance Park.
The park will be the site of free concerts from Keith Urban, Aerosmith, and Blink 182 starting Friday.
Only 25 spots remained Tuesday at the large two downtown shelters, said Jerry Castro with St. Vincent de Paul.
“These are men and women who are just down on their luck, I don't think they're going to be disruptive with this kind of event here,” Castro said.
