City of Saint Paul Completes the Permanent Closure of the Pig’s Eye Park / Fish Hatchery Encampment

SAINT PAUL, Minn. –  The City of Saint Paul, with the assistance of a network of community volunteers, elected officials, and support providers, completed the first stage of the encampment closure at Pig's Eye Park/Fish Hatchery unsheltered encampment today, safely transitioning individuals and their belongings. As planned, the first stage of the closure concluded safely, with no arrests or enforcement efforts during the operational period. Saint Paul Police Department provided a safe perimeter throughout the day at the encampment for all individuals transitioning from the site, along with city outreach and clean up teams, media, and public observers.  

As of last night, there was an estimated 100 individuals located at the encampment site. According to city outreach teams working inside Pig’s Eye Park, by 2 p.m. today, city staff were supporting less than a dozen individuals safely transitioning. This work was led in partnership with city outreach workers who have been engaged at the site in the months leading up to today's closure, and who will continue supporting residents in the days ahead. According to the city’s provider partners, at 10:30 a.m. there were beds available, including for individuals with pets.

“Today was possible because City staff, service providers, and community volunteers working together to keep safety, wellbeing, and dignity at the center of our decision making,” said Mayor Kaohly Her. “I’m pleased that many individuals were able to meet with our outreach teams and that it was done with patience and trust. I’m also grateful to the community for your continued compassion. Every person was offered shelter and resources. Our commitment to health and safety continue well beyond today."

This closure reflects the city's commitment to addressing unsheltered homelessness in a way that prioritizes both the safety and dignity of people living in encampments and the wellbeing of the surrounding community. Conditions at this site were not safe or sustainable, and today's action was carried out with services and supports in place months before and throughout the operation.

“Mayor Her has been clear from the beginning that all of our decisions and actions focus on care and safety,” said Assistant Mayor Cedrick Baker. “There were no arrests and no one was transported away for a medical emergency. The key was respectful conversations and pulling back when emotions got high. We understand, planned, and trained for that. I thank all the City staff and outreach volunteers for their partnership. Today isn’t the end of these relationships, and we will work together to continue finding long-term solutions to homelessness.”

This is a permanent closure. The City and County remain committed to the coordinated, supports-first approach that guided today's work as this effort continues at additional sites. The primary focus for the City is to continue to provide coordinated support to help encampment residents transition toward safer, more stable housing and to access additional services and resources.  

Prior to this closure and in support of the City’s coordinated transition plan, the City transferred $1,080,000 to Ramsey County to expand emergency shelter bed capacity for people staying at the Pig's Eye Park encampment ahead of the closure. This was done through a Joint Powers Agreement with the County that was approved by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners on July 28. 

To continue supporting residents, Ramsey County has opened a Transitional Hub at 555 Cedar in downtown St. Paul. County outreach workers will be available from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. from August 6-20 to connect encampment residents with shelter, housing, health care, financial assistance, and other resources. This is a location many residents are familiar with, as it is the County’s former Clinic 555 location and where the County currently continues to offer syringe exchange services.

Any resident seeking housing services is encouraged to call Ramsey County’s single point of entry contact number: 651-266-1050. Residents may also contact Ramsey County Navigators at 651-266-8500. Services are available in multiple languages.

City staff has begun remediation efforts at the encampment site and expect clean up efforts will continue this week.

For more information please, www.stpaul.gov/encampments.