City of Seattle opens first permanent RV safe lot, sweeps camp in Magnolia

The City of Seattle is opening its first permanent lot set aside for RV residents.

Officials expect just one or two people to move into the Ballard parking lot on Friday, with more streaming in next week.

Related: Homeless woman praises Tent City 5

Many RVs are currently parked at a temporary lot about a mile away. Residents are reviewing the city’s code of conduct ahead of their move.

A second lot will open at Interbay, but it was delayed while the city irons out potential issues at the Ballard lot.

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, who has declared a state of emergency over homelessness, has said the lots are not a long-term solution, but merely a temporary fix.

“Without a re-engaged federal government, without a re-engaged state government, there will be no solution to this problem,” Murray said.

On the same day it’s opening the RV lot, the city is stepping up its efforts to clear an illegal encampment.

Under the Magnolia Bridge on Friday, a bulldozer plowed through a pile of garbage strewn amidst the last belongings of a couple dozen people.

“I feel like we need to do everything we can to make services more equitable and respond to people’s needs in a humane way,” said Kelley Craig with homeless services agency Reach.

Craig said her counselors have been out for several days trying to offer advice and services to those ordered to move.

Campers told Craig they’ll just find another place to set up, with few showing interest in a shelter or other services.

Sign up for breaking news alerts

KIRO Radio’s Jillian Raftery and Josh Kerns contributed to this report.