George Street was blocked between First and Second Avenue on Monday morning as City of Prince George workers are clearing the Millennium Park encampment.
The city has now announced it has cleared and secured Millennium Park today, in an effort coordinated by Director of Public Safety Adam Davey and with assistance from RCMP and Prince George Fire Rescue Services.
Occupants were required to vacate the park, along with any personal property they wished to retain, pursuant to a notice of trespass posted by the City on Aug. 31, and an evacuation order from Prince George Fire Rescue Services Chief Cliff Warner posted Sept. 8.
The city says individuals remaining at the park were given the opportunity to collect any possessions still on the site and any material remaining which was identified by staff as being of potential use or value has been placed on the adjacent sidewalk, and will be available for collection until tomorrow.
City of Prince George Mayor Simon Yu said that “Volunteers worked over the weekend to assist former occupants of Millennium Park to transport their possessions to the City’s designated temporary overnight sheltering area at the end of 5 Ave. City staff did a very good job today clearing the remaining material from the Park.”
“We know that the Province is working to bring more housing online, hopefully in the near future” he continued, “Individuals seeking indoor shelter are encouraged to contact BC Housing outreach staff.”
Millennium Park has now been fenced, and will remain closed to the public until further notice, while options for remediation are considered, the city said.
Volunteers spent part of the weekend helping encampment residents relocated to the Lower Patricia encampment, known as Moccasin Flats, which is protected by a court order.
