Camp Fire USA abandons Maple Leaf - residents now fighting mega-townhome development

For years Camp Fire USA owned the historic Waldo Hospital and surrounding property in Maple Leaf (NE Seattle neighborhood), but according to neighbors, last year Camp Fire decided to put the property up for sale without even giving the neighborhood the chance to help bring buyers to the table. Instead, the property was sold to Prescott Development, who the neighborhood reports,

Prescott Development submitted a bid believed to be above $7.5 million to purchase the property. Prescott planned over 40 homes on the site and the destruction of Waldo Forest. Camp Fire turned down a $6.5 million dollar bid from a developer who committed to save Waldo Forest. Subsequently, a number of organizations and companies have approached the community interested in purchasing the property.

What’s interesting about this project is how quickly it appears to be moving from:
A property with bald eagles,

a landmark building,

and tons of trees on the property,

to instead become a series of 40 wheelchair inaccessible, 30′ townhomes who currently are planning to site their dumpsters alongside 85th and 86th Streets. (click for a better scaled photo)

This project needs alot of help, in term of protecting this property’s existing green space and the landmark building that is sited there. The city is taking comments on this proposal, and if you have an opinion it is important that you submit yours in writing so that your comments are reviewed by the city. If you want to take a more active role, you can visit the SaveWaldo.org site built by some of the residents of Maple Leaf.