Sodo

Countdown is on First half of July, #Seattle will be on the global stage hosting the Major League Baseball (@MLB) All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park (@TMobilePark.) The stadium is located in SODO, just minutes from #Chinatown-ID and the downtown core. But the homeless and drug crisis remains problematic in this neighborhood. This Memorial Day weekend, I watched baseball fans (@Yankees @Pirates @Mariners) struggle to find parking on the side streets. The usual spots are now being taken up by massive RV’s. Drug addicts are smoking fentanyl in front of kids headed to the game. Holgate St. is relatively clear, but new encampments are entrenched on Utah Ave S. and 4th Ave S. If it’s a challenge right now to avoid Read More ›

Fire Fire Fire Just making my rounds Wednesday afternoon in SODO when I spotted this character. Dude was wearing a blonde wig, torching a pile of plastic, and then threatened to kill me. “Blow your f****** head off N****. ” He started off by calling me the N-word but eventually corrected course and went with Jackie Chan. LOL. Just another day in #Seattle. This is your district Tammy Morales (@CMTammyMorales.) Hey, at least 3rd Ave & Holgate St. remains clear of RV’s. Gotta take the W’s when you can. @MayorofSeattle @GovInslee @kcexec @seattlecouncil @KCCouncil @CMSaraNelson @CMTMosqueda @KingCoRHA @DiscoveryCWP

Streets of Seattle Since last year, I have covered multiple encampment sweeps on 3rd Ave S. and Utah Ave S. in SODO. But the tents and RV’s keep coming back and have been hunkered down for months. Business owners say they are demoralized and do not believe the city will ever resolve this. Remember, most of these folks have been offered shelter and services, but refused them. I recognize many of the same RV’s and vehicles that have simply moved around. There are also many new homeless campers. Along with the on going drug use and illegal activity in these situations, look at some of the weapons (SAMURAI SWORD) being carried around. Once again, Tammy Morales (@CMTammyMorales) is MIA and Read More ›

Exclusive Late Saturday night, a massive inferno engulfed multiple tents inside the unsanctioned SODO homeless encampment near the Salvation Army shelter at 6th Ave & Airport Way S. This is the site of Dow Constantine’s (@kcexec) failed HOMELESS MEGAPLEX. He tried to ram the project through last year without consulting the surrounding #Chinatown-ID neighbors, but the community fought back and won. But the land is still being leased by King County and the illegal encampment continues to be a blight and danger to the community. What a drain on the good men and women of @SeattleFire. Another encampment fire in District 2 and no sign of MIA Councilmember Morales( @CMTammyMorales.) Where is Marc Dones and the @KC_RHA outreach? #Seattle @MayorofSeattle Read More ›

Happening Now After city spent tons of money sweeping this encampment on 3rd Ave. S and Holgate St. this summer, even more tents/RV’s are back. Biz owners are furious it’s being ignored. Waiting for @MayorofSeattle @CMTammyMorales to respond. Where’s enforcement? Her Words Back in May when @MayorofSeattle unveiled plan to tackle #Seattle‘s homeless crisis, I point blank asked Deputy Mayor Tiffany Washington what they would do if campers returned to an area already cleared by city crews. She said they would try to remove within 2 days! Few Blocks Away City also removed RV’s and tents on Utah Ave S. in SODO. But literally the same RV’s/vehicles and some NEW tents are back. Biz owners say there is “SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT” Read More ›

SODO’s A Mess After multiple sweeps, RV’s/tents back on 3rd Ave/Holgate/Utah Ave. #Seattle CANNOT keep up. Meanwhile trash, crime, drug dealing evident. Why are we allowing HOMELESS addicts to die on our streets? We are losing a GENERATION. He Called It Everyone give Pat Robbins a standing ovation. He said the encampments would return to SODO. And once again, city is paralyzed. NO plan to get in front before these spiral out of control. Think about the tax dollars wasted. It’s All Come Back City is not keeping track of vehicles, but I am. All the same people are back with new additions. This is a mess. I feel for you @Starbucks HQ. The city is allowing RV owners to Read More ›

More Evidence Last week as #Chinatown International District prepared to protest against @kcexec‘s HOMELESS MEGAPLEX, Dow’s representative essentially asked @KCCouncil permission to FAST TRACK project by doing away with COMPETITIVE bidding process on construction. Outrage Community advocate Matt Chan (@Lofanland) is a former special advisor to @MayorofSeattle. Chan says it’s evident @kcexec is trying to push his HOMELESS MEGAPLEX through without #Chinatown-ID community input. Even some @KCCouncil are now questioning the process. More Protests Tues Sept.13, #Chinatown-ID will confront @KCCouncil as members consider voting on request from @kcexec to fast track HOMELESS MEGAPLEX. They’re demanding answers from @JoeMcDermottWA who sponsored project. Will he show in person? Details. Holding the Line #Chinatown-ID held massive rally to say HOMELESS MEGAPLEX project must Read More ›

The Vote @KCCouncil budget committee dealt potential DEATH BLOW to #Chinatown International Dist. May 3 when they approved @kcexec‘s HOMELESS MEGAPLEX a BLOCK away in SODO. What’s STUNNING is only 1 person shared public comment. Activists say very few knew about vote. Listen to the Process Sponsor @JoeMcDermottWA is running point on this project @KCCouncil. #Chinatown activists say he FAILED to advocate on behalf of his Asian American constituents. No mention of CID. He says aspects of this will be ready by “end of the year.” Specs here. Dow’s Homelessness Czar Leo Flor runs Dept of Community+Human services for @kcexec. He’s behind recent surge of homeless hotels and this SODO MEGAPLEX. What’s disappointing for activists is lack of outreach to Read More ›

Breaking Massive SODO RV encampment along 3rd. Ave S. will be cleared TUESDAY. Dozens of vehicles. Many RV owners here say, “WE ARE NOT HOMELESS” because they live in vehicles and want to be left alone. @MayorofSeattle @KCRHA @CMTammyMorales Tons of Action Parallel streets have all kinds of businesses. Owners complain about drug dealing, violence, theft, fires, human trafficking out of RV’s. But not everyone here is a criminal. I have built numerous friendships over the past few months tracking this situation. It’s Happening I’m working on story at http://fixhomelessness.org, going more in-depth on dynamics within the RV community. Many of them just want to live on the streets and have “the freedom.” This SODO area is also home to Read More ›

What About This? @MayorofSeattle’s homelessness dashboard shows nearly 200 tents/RV’s in Sodo. Unfortunately, it does not show exact locations being tracked. I’m trying to figure out who’s responsible for this lot near Airport Way S, across street from BMW dealership. Dashboard Sodo’s got a long way to go. @MayorofSeattle’s office says there are likely more RV’s/ tents in this neighborhood. Frustrating for some who want exact locations and addresses of current encampments on dashboard. #s will be updated quarterly.