The Salvation Army and East Lawrence residents failed to reach an agreement Wednesday night about the site of a new homeless center.

The Salvation Army plans to build a 66-bed shelter near 19th Street and Haskell Avenue, but neighbors have voiced concerns that their streets and parks will become a hangout for homeless people.

The Salvation Army agreed to never knowingly offer services to prisoners, parolees or sex offenders. They also plan to serve lunch at the site and will provide transportation to downtown Lawrence to people who eat at the new shelter.

“I think what will happen is that people who are in need from East Lawrence are going to be the people who primarily participate in those feeding programs, and you’ll see fewer and fewer people make that trek from downtown,” says Wes Dalberg, Salvation Army administrator.

The groups will meet again in the next few weeks. Lawrence city commissioners must approve any agreement they reach.

Dalberg hopes the Salvation Army can finish fundraising $3.5 million for the project by the end of the year and break ground in early 2007.