FOLLOWUP: WSDOT says Myers Way encampment will be cleared starting next week

(July photo courtesy Diane Radischat)

WSDOT has just announced that the long-in-the-works clearing of the encampment on the east side of Myers Way is imminent:

After two months of state partners actively working with service providers, local partners, law enforcement and neighbors, WSDOT crews posted a notice to vacate the encampment at Myers Way this morning. Service providers with KCRHA (REACH and PDA/CoLEAD) have offered services and housing that would reasonably match the needs of the people on site. Over 80% of those who were staying at the site have been matched with shelter or housing that will work for them; many have already moved to those accommodations. Outreach workers will continue to help everyone who has accepted housing to move off site over the next several days. Next week, WSDOT will begin cleaning and repairing the site, removing excess vegetation and making other modifications at the site to help prevent resettlement.

Two weeks ago, in its previous update, WSDOT had said that one-third of the known 50+ people on the site had moved into housing. The last community meeting about the situation was in July, around the same time WSDOT said RVs and other vehicles needed to be removed before they blocked off access. (As is clearly visible to passers-by, some remain.) Three months have passed since West Seattle/South Park City Councilmember Lisa Herbold said the city and state – both of which are property owners in the area – were working on “resolution” of the encampment situation, following incidents including a murder. Even before that, Arrowhead Gardens residents across the street had been pleading for something to be done, citing crime and safety concerns at their senior-living complex.

15 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: WSDOT says Myers Way encampment will be cleared starting next week"

  • Rhonda August 31, 2023 (1:20 pm)

    I hope Arrowhead Gardens/SHAG sue the city and state for allowing this deadly encampment to remain so long.

  • Question Authority August 31, 2023 (2:15 pm)

    After this round of effort, on top of all the previous efforts and expense let’s hope this is the end of the destruction and degradation.  Hopefully the partners will deal with any returnees immediately like they did this week in Seattle on Nesbitt Ave.

  • Jim P. August 31, 2023 (2:45 pm)

    “After two months of state partners actively working with service providers, local partners, law enforcement and neighbors,”This is called “dithering” or “passing the buck.  Owe  the government money and see if they sit on their hands for two months +.

  • Liz Giba August 31, 2023 (2:52 pm)

    Please post on WCN.  Thanks!

  • Vanessa August 31, 2023 (5:28 pm)

    Whack-A-Mole

  • Rob August 31, 2023 (8:22 pm)

    Believe it when we see it.

  • Adam August 31, 2023 (11:30 pm)

    I feel like this is a terrible, terrible lie. All I’ve been told is that this (homelessness) occurs because there’s nowhere for them to go. I demand to know where they’re hiding our “unhoused neighbors” and I demand to know NOW!

    • Alki resident September 1, 2023 (10:07 pm)

      I completely agree. Where all of a sudden are they going? Our taxes are paying for this. 

  • Bob September 1, 2023 (6:37 am)

    Most likely they will be housed in local hotels until they get more permanent housing.That is what co-lead does. It used to be at the fair field hotel in seatac. They have to change rooms every month and stay for up to a year or more.

  • Doug September 1, 2023 (8:05 am)

    I’m glad to see these people are receiving offers of housing and services.  I’m appalled to see that the “lesson” here seems to be that to achieve these goals quickly, you need to break the law and create a public nuisance.  Thousands of unhoused King County residents are being bypassed to “solve” a public relations problem.

  • Scarlett September 1, 2023 (8:44 am)

    “Whack a Mole” is a distasteful phrase to sum up a human crisis, regardless of one’s personal opinions on the matter.  I wasn’t a fan when Maren Costa used the phrase, either.     

    • WS res September 1, 2023 (2:21 pm)

      whack a mole is exactly what this is until this city gets its act together and comes up with a concrete plan. feel free to use whatever safe language you wish. many prefer calling it what it is.

      • WS Res September 1, 2023 (4:55 pm)

        OK it’s super annoying that you’re using my username, but especially to espouse such a shameful attitude toward your fellow humans.- The actual “WS Res” who doesn’t change usernames

        • Alki resident September 1, 2023 (10:05 pm)

          There’s actually lots of WS Res just like there’s a few Alki Resident, relax. And he or she said nothing wrong, saying Whack A Mole is exactly what’s happening across our country whether you like it or not. 

  • snowskier September 3, 2023 (1:35 pm)

    It’s amazing how the percentage of people taking services rises dramatically once they announce an end date when a site will be cleared.  Imagine what could happen if the government didn’t wait months and seasons to get to that end date?

Sorry, comment time is over.