BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – After years of people living on a plot of private property next to the Walmart on E. Stuart Road, the City of Bellingham has begun their work to clear debris, trash and personal belongings left by its previous inhabitants.

Known as the “Walmart Encampment” to many Bellingham residents, this 20-acre plot of land has been called “home” by scores of unhoused people. But as the city ramps up their multi-phased approach to clearing and cleaning up the land, the remnants of the land’s past can be easily seen from outside of the property.

The City of Bellingham has enlisted their Public Works Department to manage the cleanup, with dozens of city employees and a handful of Bellingham Police officers also onsite as the work continues.

A Public Works employee told My Bellingham Now that they’re clearing a path on the property to set up a security fence. Workers are hauling out bags of trash and debris left behind from the previous occupants. Propane tanks, miscellaneous plastic products, tents and ad hoc shelters are just some of the items these workers are finding as the path is cleared.

Workers begin the process of clearing a path on the property to build a security fence on Nov. 20, 2024. Photo by Sam Kristofferson

Public Works previously estimated that around 1,000 to 2,000 tons of solid waste needs to be removed from the property. Public Works has not released an updated estimate as to how much waste has since been removed.

Community members and Bellingham officials met earlier this week to discuss the fate of another encampment located just over 2 miles away from Walmart. Over 100 people were present as Bellingham Police Lt. Claudia Murphy and Mayor Kim Lund shared their plans in cleaning up that property and what community members can do in the meantime.

Both Lt. Murphy and Mayor Lund urged attendees to use official channels only when reporting on any incidents that stem from the newer “Bakerview Encampment.”

In the last few weeks, the Bakerview encampment has grown in size, creating a conversation between city officials and residents of the area. Photo by Sam Kristofferson

On Thursday, Nov. 21, Mayor Lund announced a new executive order addressing the issue of affordable housing in Bellingham. To read more about the latest executive order from the mayor, click here to read our story.

My Bellingham Now will continue to cover this ongoing story as the City of Bellingham continues to address homelessness.