Chattanooga homeless encampment to be razed by railroad
CHATTANOOGA — A railroad company plans to bulldoze a homeless encampment on its property in downtown Chattanooga.
Norfolk Southern will raze the “tent city” in about two weeks because it is worried about public safety and liability, spokesman Robin Chapman said.
Chapman said some of the homeless have bothered railroad workers and the railroad police are unable to deal with the problem.
“They weren’t having any effect, so it was determined that we need to just clear the area,” Chapman said.
Norfolk Southern representatives
“The intent was to give them sufficient time to gather their belongings and move out,” he said.
Ron Fender, a monk who ministers to the homeless, said the tent city has been around for about three years and about 30 people live there at any one time.
Bo Cook, 53, said he has camped on the property since mid-February. The Oklahoma native said he may head out West after the encampment is cleared.
“You got to do something,” he said.
Jed Robbins, 41, said he moved to the tent city only about two weeks ago.
“This is a place that people who had drastic things happen in their lives can come and stay,” he said.
More details as they develop online and in Monday’s News Sentinel.
