Homeless encampment to be cleared soon from Sound Transit property in Tacoma

Allison Needles
·1 min read

A homeless encampment located on Sound Transit property at East 25th Street and Portland Avenue in Tacoma will be cleared later this month.

Sound Transit confirmed that notices about the clean up will be posted at the camp Friday.

Sound Transit spokesperson Scott Thompson said it’s hard to know for sure how many people are living at the site but estimated about 20 tents.

The camp started small and grew over the past year, Thompson said.

“We have some safety issues there,” Thompson said.

Thompson reported instances of some people standing on the rail tracks near the site, which is a safety concern. He added that the Pilot Express gas station across the street has reported vandalism and vehicle break-ins in the parking lot.

A notice posted by Sound Transit hangs on a telephone pole near a homeless encampment on the corner of Portland Avenue and 25th Street on Friday afternoon. The notice, which was posted earlier in the day, informed residents of the encampment that there would be cleanup and maintenance work in the area owned by Sound Transit starting Dec. 17. It also asked for people to pickup their belongings and leave the area prior to the start of cleanup.

Sound Transit staff anticipates the removal will not be performed until Dec. 17, giving people two weeks to relocate. Thompson said the agency is working with the city of Tacoma’s homeless outreach staff to try to identify places for people to go.