Tent City Comes Down

Workers who erected a canvas tent to shield the homeless struck it down this morning on orders from the state as homeless organizers frantically sought to renew their expired insurance and permit.

Employees of the Academy Tent & Canvas Co., which donated the 5,000-square-foot white circus tent, began taking the shelter down at mid-morning, Stephan Keen, spokesman for the homeless group, said. A handful of homeless people stood around quietly as the tent across from City Hall was dismantled, but there were no incidents.