When freshman Alderman Kacie Starr Triplett took office last year, she inherited a diverse ward with new construction, trendy restaurants and funky boutiques.

But her predecessor also left her an intractable problem that nobody at City Hall has so far been able to crack: Homelessness downtown.

For Triplett, the concern is focused on a specific area, Lucas Park, a one-acre oasis that sits parallel to the burgeoning Washington Avenue loft district.

It’s also, however, across the street from the Rev. Larry Rice’s shelter, the New Life Evangelistic Center, which presents a tricky balance.

Near-by loft residents have long complained that the homeless have hijacked the park, cutting it off as a peaceful place to walk a dog or take children to play. Homeless advocates argue, correctly, that Lucas is a city park, free to be enjoyed by individuals whether they have a permanent home or not.

The city’s attempts to reign-in the homeless –strictly enforcing the park curfew, or discouraging church groups from bringing food to the area — have, it seems, not worked.

Last week, Triplett met with Mayor Francis Slay to discuss potential solutions. According to Triplett, the mayor agreed to participate in a public forum on the issue sometime in the near future.

It should be a well-attened event.