City of Redmond to proceed with $150k homeless camp cleanup planned for June
Kelsey Merison
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Officials in Redmond are moving forward with plans to clear a large homeless encampment at an eastside industrial site–a cleanup that will cost $150,000.
Desert Rise Industrial Park
It’s scheduled for June at the Desert Rise Industrial Park, where approximately 90 people are currently living. Notices have already been issued requiring residents to vacate the property by June 15th.
Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch said the decision is firm.
“We have to do this,” Fitch said. “It’s not a question of if. It’s a question of must.”
Residents Face Uncertainty
For those living at the site, the upcoming deadline brings uncertainty. Steve Dominguez, who has stayed at the site for about six months, said many residents are unsure where they will go next.
“A lot of these people probably are not sure where they’re going to go,” Dominguez said.
Steve Dominguez
He described his experience living at the site as difficult.
“It’s a nightmare for me because I’m not used to being out here,” he said, adding that he values having his own space but finds the environment at the site stressful and unpredictable.
“Out here, people are going to do what they’re going to do.” he said.
City Cites Safety and Property Concerns
The city says the cleanup is necessary to prepare the land for future manufacturing businesses and to address ongoing safety and sanitation issues.
Trash at Desert Rise Industrial Park
Mayor Fitch emphasized that public safety and protection of private property are the city’s top priorities. He pointed to concerns about dangerous conditions and widespread trash accumulation at the site.
“The primary responsibility for any local government, any government, that is, is the safety of our citizens and the protection of private property. That goes true for the city. It goes true for the county. We’ve had a lot of testimony about danger out there,” Mayor Fitch said. “That’s another aggravation is that, you know, there’s just a lot of garbage out there. And that should not be.”
He also acknowledged that the cleanup will come with other implications.
No Delay Expected
Mayor Fitch said there is no plan to postpone the cleanup.
“The simple answer is no,” he said when asked about a possible delay.
Mayor Ed Fitch
He acknowledged that closing the site could shift challenges into surrounding areas, including county-managed land, but said the city will coordinate with county officials moving forward.
“We are cognizant that this is shifting the issue from some city property over into the county. We’re going to work with the county. First we have to see what happens,” Mayor Fitch said. “Some of these people are not going to want to be in a managed camp or any kind of place with rules and regulations. So there’s not much we can do for them, but they need to be off of this property. Others who need help, we’ll work with the county on doing that. We’ll work with the providers on making sure that happens, as well as it can be. It’s just going to be a difficult summer.”
Outreach and Limited Options
Before the closure, outreach teams from local resource centers are expected to connect with residents to offer assistance and alternative options.
Mayor Fitch noted that some individuals may choose not to enter structured or managed environments.
“There’s a lot of people out there who don’t want to live under rules and regulations. But people who do want to have safety and some management, some case work, those places are going to be available for them,” he said.
New Managed Camp Opening Soon
A new managed camp is expected to open soon south of the industrial park along Highway 126 near the Redmond Airport. The site is intended to provide an alternative for those willing to relocate to a more structured setting.
Location of new managed camp
For residents like Dominguez, the situation remains uncertain.
“You just have to take it as it comes,” he said. “It’s a sad way to live. I wouldn’t want anybody to come out here and live like this. It’s pretty stressful. Gotta just live day by day and just hope for the best.”
City officials say the coming months will be challenging as the transition unfolds, with the cleanup marking a significant step in Redmond’s efforts to redevelop the industrial area while addressing homelessness in the region.