FOLLOWUP: West Seattle RV-lot plan gets first public mention

| Safety | West Seattle news

(From ‘site plan’ in proposed lot’s permit filing)

Eight days after we broke the news of a combination RV “safe lot” and tiny-home village planned for southeast West Seattle, a city official brought it up at a community meeting tonight for the first time. The meeting was the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) discussion of possible parking restrictions on 16th SW, where about 10 RVs and trailers are currently among the other parked vehicles; we’ll have a full report on the meeting, and what’s next, Thursday. But first – the city official who mentioned the possible shelter site is Tom Van Bronkhorst, a longtime community liaison for the city’s homelessness response. Some attendees suggested a “safe lot” might be ideal for RV dwellers; Van Bronkhorst said he’d just recently heard about the one on the drawing board for 2nd SW, saying there’s some “lease activity.” Timeline? He said he didn’t have specifics but speculated at least “several months.” That’s more than we’ve heard from those with whom we’ve followed up; WSDOT, the site’s owner, promised a response that we’re still awaiting, while Mayor Katie Wilson‘s spokesperson told us it was still too early-stage for them to have anything to say, and the organization listed as site operator, LIHI, has not replied at all.

spooled February 5, 2026 (5:57 am)

Van Bronkhorst, when questioned, also said the safe lot is not compulsory. The RVs may refuse this service too and remain on the streets/neighborhoods without repercussion. Think about that everyone.

ColumbiaChris February 5, 2026 (12:35 pm)

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Seems fine to me. Forcing people into camps is a bad road to start going down.
- Spooled February 5, 2026 (2:45 pm)
  
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  I’m not talking final solution here and you know that. I AM in favor of more stick less carrot. Once there is an RV lot they should go there or go away. No more tolerating what has been happening the last five years. Take the support offered or take yourself elsewhere!
  - ColumbiaChris February 5, 2026 (3:53 pm)
    
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    My friend, I know exactly what you are talking about. You want to give people you deem “undesirable” the choice of either being forced to leave their community, or forced to concentrate into a camp. I’m sorry you don’t like the association, but if the shoe fits…
Sid W February 5, 2026 (5:00 pm)

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For what it’s worth, the city’s only lot like this closed two years ago. Here’s a blurb about it:
The program was an overwhelming success. We served 87 people and had 67 RVs permanently removed from city streets, which means they were demolished,” said Jon Grant, chief strategy officer for the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI), which ran the program. “60 percent of the folks that exited the program were able to secure housing, which was an enormous success.”

Mellow Kitty February 5, 2026 (5:59 am)

Hey now! That’s a reasonable solution! Are we sure it came from our city leaders? 😉

Rob February 5, 2026 (8:15 am)

Hopefully we can then restart enforcing a citywide 72 hour limit on street parking, since we are paying for their off street parking.

Spooled February 5, 2026 (9:19 am)

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That would be ideal.Alas they will be allowed to decline the new lot and remain as they are.

Foop February 5, 2026 (8:44 am)

I mean, we also pay for all the on street parking too.

SlimJim February 5, 2026 (9:26 am)

Typical of the city to pretend they want *real* public input into anything. They always say “too early” and then later roll out plans they might be willing to accept minor tweaks to but essentially are done deals.

Scarlett February 5, 2026 (11:54 am)

These threads are like a masterclass in this uniquely Seattle passive-aggressive mode of communication. Hey, if you’re fuming about it, just say it and save us all the cuteness, though you could at least count your good fortune because a lot of it is government subsidized.

Kyle February 5, 2026 (1:30 pm)

Can’t wait, but can we please stop being so “if the RV’s choose”. If you’ve had 20+, and most of the RVs have more than that in my neighborhood, citations for trash/parking/other violations you HAVE to go here or the RV gets impounded. The rules for thee but not for me needs to end. It’s the same RVs on Trenton and 16th for YEARS. they will not change and live another way unless forced.