City updates Juniper Ridge safe-stay area plan as council weighs phased closure and extended services

City officials gave an informational update on the temporary safe stay area (TSSA) at Juniper Ridge and outlined a proposed phased closure plan that staff said would begin in March 2026 and aim for property-wide closure on or before Dec. 31, 2026. Staff asked the council to approve additional limited-term staffing and signaled the likelihood of further cleanup and closure costs beyond current budgets.

The update, presented by Matt Stewart, real estate and facilities director, and Amy Fraley, senior program manager for houseless services, described operations launched after the site was established and a surge of residents following the China Hat closure. Stewart said the city and county adopted joint resolutions and expanded hygiene stations, security patrols and case management. He told council the TSSA covers about 170 acres and that about 194 unique individuals — “more than 90%” of the population there — have accessed housing-focused case management since March.

Why it matters: Council members and service providers said Juniper Ridge has allowed outreach teams to build stable relationships with people who are camping, resulting in housing exits and quicker responses to health and fire risks. At the same time, speakers and staff warned that sweeping or a rapid…