Nickelsville, Seattle’s homeless encampment, is getting ready to move — and they’ve set a date. Nickelsville is targeting November 7 for the move. This time, the tent city will set up camp on Ballard’s main thoroughfare, Northwest Market Street.
Campers are in the process of formally applying for the city permit, and getting ready to vacate their current site on South Dearborn Street.
John Hord is the head of security at Nickelsville. He says he’s excited for the move because Dearborn has been a tough neighborhood, but he also has concerns about his new neighbors in Ballard.
“[We] just want the communities to kind of have an open heart toward us as we first move in and kind of give us a chance.”
Ballard’s reaction has been mixed. Mike Stewart, executive director of the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, says there was another viable — and larger — location in the neighborhood, but the city and Nickelsville chose to go with Market Street because it’s available now.
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“We absolutely support — and will work as hard as we can to help the homeless. However, we need to have a seat at the table and an opportunity to help shape the site location. Unfortunately, that’s already been done.”
Nickelsville says the 40 campers will have one year to stay in Ballard, with the option to extend to a second year if all goes well. Three other tent cities plan to open in other Seattle neighborhoods later this year.
