A new social service center in is opening their doors to people experiencing housing instability.
The opening of The Third Place QC violates a Rock Island city moratorium on all social services.
That moratorium was put in place on August 25th and is set to expire on October 13th.
While city leaders informally voted to allow the third place to serve the community, they sent a letter to the organization earlier today detailing the conditions of today’s opening.
The new center still may face consequences, but they say the opening comes at a crucial time.
“When the cold temperatures hit, we believe that we will see an increase in the number of people utilizing our space on a daily basis and maybe staying planted here more on a daily basis,” said co-owner of The Third Place Q.C., Christie Adamson.
City leaders say the pause on social services was necessary.
“The moratorium was put in place to allow the city of Rock Island to develop a new regulatory framework for homeless shelters and related social services within the city of Rock Island,” said Rock Island 5th ward Alderperson Dylan Parker.
The Third place wants to be a pivotal part of the community, and that means respecting the community.
“We do not allow loitering prior to 8:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m., and if you utilize the surrounding space here to sort of post-up, we’re going to have to have conversations with you about finding another location because we know there is a lot of concern around that,” said Adamson.
But for Parker, talk isn’t enough.
“I appreciate the intentions of The Third Place QC to address some of their neighbors’ concerns about loitering and other issues that may percolate with the activity,” Parker said. “However I remain, I will see how it works, one person’s intentions may not be what actually happens.”
The city also notified The Third Place of two deficiencies noticed by the fire marshal that they need to fix.
The moratorium is still active, and The Third Place can be subject to fines if rock island city council votes against approving third place’s operation during the moratorium. The vote is on October 13th.