Category — Fort Lawton

Unlike their earlier pass on an important vote earlier this week (the nightclub ordinance), the city council did decide to vote on whether to replace the vacated barracks at Fort Lawton with open space or affordable housing. Their decision, bring on the open space.

However, in addition to receiving criticism from housing advocates, the city council was also called to task by the Port for a different decision the city made on a similiar project. The Times reported, 

Officials with the Port of Seattle and the city of Burien said Seattle’s plans are hypocritical. Seattle officials had intervened when the Port wanted to tear down 162 affordably priced units at the Lora Lake apartments in Burien this summer.

Port Commissioner John Creighton said Wednesday, “I find it disappointing that they raise this issue and request that another jurisdiction [Burien], that has a higher percentage of affordable housing, go to bat to save housing when they’re not prepared to do the same.”

Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis responded,

City officials said the Capehart housing is inappropriate for low-income residents. “It’s isolated in the park and there are no services or transit,” said Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis.

Wow, Tim doesn’t get around much. Believe it or not, there are even low-income residents in suburban and rural areas who obviously find ways to get around.

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.

I was pleased to see on Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods site that there is a whole section built out to the upcoming Fort Lawton redevelopment project. And I was really pleased to see this quote from Mayor Nickels. (Perhaps Wedgwood and other less-interesting Seattle neighborhoods should change their names to ‘Fort Lawton’ to get a share of the Mayor’s attention).

“I’m delighted to add 24-acres to Discovery Park. This is a win for everyone, especially the Magnolia community. It’s been a collaborative, respectful process, and I could not be more pleased with the result.”

–Mayor Greg Nickels