Overview

• Operation Cleanup Columbus launched Monday with phased removals of unsafe and inoperable vehicles and RVs from Columbus Park.
• Vehicles bearing special city-issued tags can stay until Sept. 5 under $2,000 buyback agreements, while untagged units face immediate towing.
• City has opened some motel rooms, plans more than 400 housing units and faces construction delays at its Watson Park navigation center and safe-sleeping site.
• Officials are offering on-site case management, meals and sanitation even as projected completion timelines vary from eight weeks to three months.
• Residents and advocates say they received insufficient notice and that shelter capacity falls short for roughly 400 park inhabitants.