Fort Lawton. Open space, affordable housing, or perhaps both?

On Sept 19th the city council will vote whether to spend $11 million on acquiring Ft. Lawton from the Navy (the Navy personnel there will be transferred to Marysville). This purchase should make it through the council, but the interesting question will then be what fate awaits Ft. Lawton. It seems that the existing historic officers’ housing will be protected and the less historic barracks demolished and replaced by a native meadow. However, will any accomodation for city affordable housing be included in Ft. Lawton’s redevelopment? Since land elsewhere is so expensive for affordable housing development elsewhere throughout the city, this sure looks like an opportunity to me.

Officers’ Houses at Fort Lawton.

Example of what could replace demolished buildings at Ft. Lawton.