Now, some who don’t spend the night in shelter gather and sleep around the Central Library, Overture Center and other spots, observers said.

“People will sleep where they feel the most safe,” said Jeff Turk, spokesman for the volunteer homeless outreach group Friends of State Street Family. “The population we serve on a nightly basis is very appreciative and docile. You have a population of people at their most vulnerable in a very vulnerable situation.”

At the same time, the area has attracted others — some homeless, some not — who police said cause the most trouble.

To help give the area a more active feel, the city created food vending sites at the top of State Street for the 2017 season. El Grito and Pickle Jar tried the sites but reported problems. This year, what should be prime locations are unused Monday through Friday, with carts operating in the area only during the Farmers’ Market.

“No one wants to be there,” said Matthew Danky, owner of the El Grito cart that has moved to another Downtown spot. “There’s a reason.”

The upscale Graft restaurant, 18 N. Carroll St., did not seek to renew a permit for its sidewalk cafe this year.