Homeless Camp Cleared at Chehalis; Twin Transit Plans Potential E-Transit Station

Aug. 10—An eviction notice was recently served to a homeless encampment on private property near the park and ride on Main Street in Chehalis, next to Interstate 5 Exit 77, by the property’s owners.

The move came after one homeless individual moved their belongings from behind the business on the property — an adult store — to its front.

According to Chehalis Police Chief Randy Kaut, the Chehalis Police Department had contact with the property’s owner but did not remove anyone from the property.

Kaut said there was probably more than one homeless individual living on the private property at the time they were asked to leave. The individuals who were living there had apparently vacated the area. The homeless individuals left behind their belongings and the police department was seeking to remove the objects from the property.

“We’re now trying to organize the (belongings) to move it out,” Kaut said.

According to Kaut, the decision and timing of the eviction — which happened on one of the hottest days of the year — was not made by Chehalis police.

The eviction comes ahead of plans from Twin Transit to acquire and develop the property for a new e-transit station.

“A lot is happening about that particular piece of property. We’re hoping to make that another e-transit station on the Interstate 5 corridor,” Twin Transit Executive Director Joe Clark told The Chronicle.

Under current plans, the e-transit station would be a public transportation junction that would include a bus station and charging stations for electric vehicles, allowing someone to travel between Vancouver, BC, and Vancouver, Washington using public transportation.

For Clark, the new station would provide an opportunity to beautify the area around Exit 77 by giving Chehalis a chance to construct a new, more attractive entrance to the city.

“People have wanted a gateway to our city and I think having some of these transit opportunities makes that a very attractive option,” Clark said. “(The Exit 77 e-Transit Station) would certainly improve the gateway to our city.”

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According to Clark, Twin Transit has been developing plans for the new station and working with the county and City of Chehalis to get the station completed.

“We so appreciate the cooperation of the city, county and the landowners to accomplish this transit station,” Clark said.

Clark said he hopes to clean up the site and make it a more attractive entrance to Chehalis, but added the agency had nothing to do with the recent eviction of homeless individuals there.

Clark said Twin Transit did not request the camp’s removal and the agency is still in talks to acquire the property.

“Not us,” Clark said.