Rice said 200 people stay at the shelter overnight and 50 live there and are offered various services including a “two-year leadership program.” The center also runs a day center for women and children, he said.

The notice from the city comes after Alderman Lyda Krewson, who is running for mayor, told downtown residents last week that the shelter must be shut down.

“NLEC has to be closed,” Krewson said Thursday night. “I don’t see another choice.” She said the city should “put a lock on the place” but conceded doing so would create a “big legal battle.”

The city for years has tried to close the shelter or restrict the number of people who can stay there.

After his permit was pulled last year, Rice claimed he was exempt from gathering neighbor signatures required for a new one because he operates a religious center. He lost that legal challenge in September, leading the city to send the cease and desist notice Wednesday.

Meanwhile, neighbors have ramped up their opposition in the last few weeks, sending emails to city leaders, criticizing them for their inaction.