SPOKANE, Wash. – Urbanna Natural Spa, Salon & Wine business owner Linda Biel has filed a tort claim against Catholic Charities and the City of Spokane.
Biel, who leases the shop on Division Street, cited chronic nuisances and crime as her reasons for taking legal action.
Biel’s business is located near several transitional housing facilities.
After 16 years in operation, she expressed frustration with the ongoing issues.
“Cleaning up human feces on a regular basis. Cleaning up graffiti. Picking up litter three times a day. There have been fights. People injured,” Biel said.
Attorney Eowen Rosenstrater is representing Biel in the case.
“It does make you question the priorities of our local leaders and then also the priorities of those who are in charge of Catholic Charities. And that is why we need change,” Rosenstrater stated.
Biel claimed these problems began in 2014 when Catholic Charities opened housing facilities nearby.
Her employees, primarily women, have experienced concerning incidents as well.
“They’re being followed to their vehicles, they return to their vehicles to find property damage, stolen items, human feces on their vehicle,” Rosenstrater added.
Despite meeting with city leaders and Catholic Charities, she said these discussions have been unproductive.
“You go and talk to a lot of the employees and the businesses, and they’ll tell you that you have lost a lot of clientele, because it is unsafe,” Biel emphasized.
Due to these challenges, Biel plans to relocate her business.
“We have ten more months on our lease, and because of the environment, we cannot exist here,” she stated.
Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington responded, expressing disappointment in the tort claim. It sent NonStop Local KHQ this statement:
“Our agency is disappointed that Urbanna Natural Spa, Salon and Wine feels the poor and vulnerable are a nuisance. This orchestrated legal filing contains several misleading, inaccurate and baseless allegations. We look forward to the opportunity to set the record straight as we rigorously defend all aspects of this claim and as we explore our other legal options.
CCEW is proud of its long-standing record of serving our neighbors in need. We know that our apartments and wrap-around services are a true blessing for the low-income men, women, and children who have a safe and supportive place to sleep each night. Rather than being a nuisance, our properties are a life raft for people to escape homelessness.
Catholic Charities believes each person deserves the dignity of a home. This litigation does not affect our ongoing commitment to do the hard work many others are either unable or unwilling to do.Most important, our work is a living mission that comes directly from Scripture – to Feed the Hungry, Heal the Hurting and Welcome the Stranger.CEO and President Rob McCann commented, ‘The facts and Jesus are on our side. Catholic Charities Eastern Washington will not waiver from this work. Love always wins.'”
The City of Spokane acknowledged receipt of the claim, stating, “We have received the claim and will review it as we do with all claims.”
