"and the fact that it's zoned for industrial uses"

It cannot possibly be that difficult to change the fucking zoning. Won't a change of zoning be required for literally every proposed permanent campsite that would go up on industrial and/or parking lot zoned parcels?

This who thing is fucking ridiculous. And the homeless "advocates" who opposed it (because it would mean fewer nearby clients and/or having to relocate their services and offices from cozy downtown) can go fuck themselves.

The perfect is the enemy of the good.

Awww all the people who hoped the homeless problem would be banished to the far reaches of the industrial zone on the farthest tip of Portland's actual footprint are really dissapointed - you can tell by the angry inchoreant screaming they do - much like the people they avoid on the sidewalks downtown.

@gravit8: Exaggerate much?

The Mercury and extreme homeless advocates were in favor of the failed "Village of Hope" outdoor camp that was located in the "far reaches" of the Columbia Slough (near NE 182nd and NE Airport Way). As the crow flies, this failed outdoor camp was 11 1/2 miles from downtown, yet The Mercury and extreme homeless advocates were in favor of it.

Wapato, an actual facility with heat, water and electricity, is a mere 6 1/2 miles from downtown (as the crow flies), and it's somehow unworkable because it's too far? Huh?

An outdoor camp 11 1/2 miles from downtown: Workable.
A building with heat, water and electricity that's 6 1/2 miles from downtown: Unworkable.

What is your well-thought out and insightful opinion on this?

Wouldn’t it be amazing if the Holier-than-Thou Vagrent advocates were the biggest obstacle to “solving” homelessness.
Besides as I have pointed out before,
There will always be the bottom of the bell curve, people who marginally function in life. Thus there will always be homelessness, it cannot be “solved”, only minimized. So;
1) Contain the homeless away from successfully functioning neighborhoods,
2) Provide services at these locations for those who can turn around their lives,
3) Enforce statutes so the homeless do not degrade the environment for the functional population.

Second the reply of #4 to the idiot at #3. What's your better idea for a short-term solution that would provide nearly the same number of people with a roof, bed, toilet and shower facilities, gravit8? Surprise, you don't have one, because nothing exists or will exist in the next 3-5 years anywhere closer to the city center were upwards of 500 people could have the option of getting off the streets.