Several nonprofits, sent eviction notice by SLPS

The Saint Louis Public School District is evicting a number of non profits from the Clay Community Education Center.

The Clay Community Education Center, formerly Clay elementary, is owned by SLPS and leased to St. Louis University who operates the facility. Nickolas Speed with Ujima STL, a non profit community garden that donates produce to those who are underprivileged says the school district first tried to raise their rent.

"SLU rejected that offer and rightfully so. Instead of coming with a counter offer, instead of trying to come to some type of medium, [SLPS] tried to evict all of us."

Speed says they and several other organizations have until Thursday at 5 p.m. to leave the Clay Community Education Center.

"This is just really unfortunate," Speed says, "so many local businesses, so many folks in North City are going to be impacted by this decision."

Speed tells KMOX they hope SL-P-S reconsiders their plans and works with them on a solution. He says they just want a chance to negotiate.

"We understand that running a building like [the Clay Community Education Center] costs money... we are willing to do whatever it takes to preserve that space for the community."

Speed is asking for volunteers with trucks to help them remove garden beds Saturday morning. KMOX has reached out to SLPS for comment and is awaiting their reply.