Wednesday, the City learned of a large tent being erected on WSDOT property in east Spokane.
By law, any temporary structure, like the tent that has been constructed, must have an inspection by the Fire Marshal to ensure it meets health and safety code requirements before it can be occupied.
The Spokane Fire Department Fire Marshal visited the site and outlined the items that need to be in place in order for a permit to be issued.
One of those items is property owner authorization. The City was notified that WSDOT is not in support of the activities happening on the property, and are not taking action to trespass any occupants.
Without authorization of activities by a property owner, the City, by law, cannot issue a permit.
In light of the heat wave and purpose of the tent, the City has issued a Notice of Violation to WSDOT for the tent structure on their property with the request to have it disassembled on Monday, August 1 when temperatures are expected to return to normal.
The City and its leadership are very concerned that an occupant could be injured or there could be a serious fire event at the site causing mass casualties. The goal is to balance compliance with existing health and safety laws and the risk the City and its taxpayers are undertaking with the untenable situation on the WSDOT property.
We are grateful for the way Spokane is pulling together to get through this weather event. Once again, we show our strength in difficult situations.
In response to the joint statement by WSDOT and the Washington Department of Commerce:
The City, along with trusted partners across the region, submitted a comprehensive, innovative $24 million plan on July 21st to rapidly house individuals currently residing at the WSDOT encampment. The plan, as requested by the Department of Commerce, included immediate and long-term solutions to housing in the Spokane region. Mayor Woodward stated, “We strongly support housing stabilization for all and are eagerly awaiting the Department of Commerce’s approval of the regional plan. We are ready to move forward as soon as we receive the funding.”
For seven months, the City has been tirelessly working with the State to ensure not just the safety of the individuals at the camp, but also the safety of businesses and residents in the surrounding area. Contrary to the assertion by the State that the Administration has not responded to the encampment, the City has paid for on-site private security, near daily garbage removal, and extra police patrols, in addition to meeting with nearby residents and businesses to provide timely updates and hear their safety concerns. “We have been repeatedly disappointed with the response from the State that the City has not provided assistance to the encampment. We are required to follow the law and that may conflict with the actions of organizations providing assistance, but we are open and willing to find viable, legal solutions that meet the needs of individuals at the encampment,” states Mayor Woodward.
