Judge Shuts Down City of Phoenix’s Request For More Time On The Zone Clean Up

A Maricopa County judge denied the City Phoenix’s request to put an order to clean up the Zone homeless encampment on hold while the city appeals the court ruling.

Judge Scott Blaney ruled that Phoenix did not have good cause for a stay on the original March 27 ruling that mandates the city to develop a plan to clean up the downtown area being called the Zone and said they must carry it out as soon as possible.

“The Court issued the preliminary injunction based, in part, upon the city’s past failure to address the issues in the Zone, as well as the city’s apparent lack of intent to do so until faced with possible judicial intervention,” Blaney said.

The area residents and business owners filed the initial lawsuit arguing the City of Phoenix has ignored its responsibility to maintain the area and enforce laws in the area for quite some time.

Phoenix has acknowledged the homeless problem downtown and their action plan includes new shelter space, enhanced cleaning, and relocation options.

The city must demonstrate that it has taken steps to improve conditions by the July 10 bench trial.

It is estimated that approximately 900 people camp outside in the area nightly.