Overview

• Updates
• Final Redevelopment Plan Submittal Documents
• Draft Redevelopment Plan Submittal Documents
• Background

January 2012 Update
As of Sept. 16, 2011, the Army has vacated the Fort Lawton Army Reserve Base, leaving it in caretaker status until a decision is made on transfer of the property. Under “caretaker” status, the Army still owns and maintains the facility (graffiti removal, grounds upkeep, etc.). In addition they are responsible for securing the property. They have secured the buildings against entry and will secure the gates, but will keep the road open (used as access to the neighborhood and by Metro). All inquiries regarding the Fort Lawton property be directed to Scott McKean at (206) 883-7640.

Any decision about the sale of land at Fort Lawton remains in the Army’s hands, as Congress intended. City officials will continue to consult with Army officials about the future of this important area.

September 2010 Update
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has notified the City that HUD has determined that the City's Proposed Redevelopment Plan and Homeless Assistance Application for the U.S. Army Reserve Center Fort Lawton Complex complies with the requirements of the Base Closure Community Redevelopment and Homeless Assistance Act. See letter

June 2010 Updates

Status of Redevelopment Plan Lawsuit
The City has filed an appeal requesting the State Supreme Court review the Court of Appeals ruling on the Fort Lawton case.

Status of Redevelopment Plan Review
HUD is continuing to review the plan submitted by the City of Seattle in Fall 2008. An update will be provided when there is a change in the status of the plan.

August 2009 Updates

Security Concerns at Fort Lawton
During May and June the Army informed the City of off-hours, unauthorized gatherings in the Fort Lawton parking lots that resulted in trash being left and some vandalism.  The Seattle Police Department was notified and we are asking that nearby residents contact Seattle police (call 911) if they suspect unauthorized activities are occurring at Fort Lawton.

Statement from the Army: The original grounds maintenance contractor went out of business in mid-contract which ended regular maintenance until a new contract could be awarded. Additionally, due to the change of Army Reserve Command ownership, the new grounds maintenance contract took longer than expected, however, a new one was awarded in mid-July. Clean up and routine maintenance will begin again in August.

See latest Army release on continued use of Fort Lawton.

City Appealing Redevelopment Plan Lawsuit Decision
The City of Seattle is appealing the King County Superior Court decision on the lawsuit regarding the Fort Lawton Redevelopment Plan. We expect a decision from the Washington State Court of Appeals in late 2009 or early 2010. The City has sent letters to the Army and the Department of Housing and Urban Development informing them of this decision.

Status of Redevelopment Plan Review
We know that you are wondering what is happening with the Fort Lawton Redevelopment Plan as it goes through review in the Department of Housing and Urban Development and then on to the Army for property disposal decisions. These can be lengthy processes and when we receive any official word on the plan the community will be notified.

Final Redevelopment Plan Submittal Documents

On Sept. 22, 2008, the Seattle City Council voted 8-0 in favor of Resolution 31086, approving the Fort Lawton Redevelopment Plan.

On Oct. 13, 2008, the entire package was submitted to the Department of Defense (DOD) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as required through the BRAC process. At this time, we have no indication of the timeline for review of the plan, but will continue to update this page as information arises.

Below are the final documents submitted to DOD and HUD. Due to the size of the documents, some have been broken into multiple pdfs for easier downloading. A hard copy of the entire package also is available for public review at both the Central Library and the Magnolia Library.

• Redevelopment Plan, Sept. 18, 2008
  - Redevelopment Plan Appendices
  
  
• Homeless Assistance Submission, Sept. 18, 2008
  - Homeless Assistance Submission Appendices A, C-G
  - Homeless Assistance Submission Appendix B: Notices of Interest (NOIs)
  Note: due to the size of the NOIs, they are not included as part of the pdf here; follow this link to where they are posted on the Parnters page.
  
  
• Public Involvment Process, Sept. 18, 2008
  - Public Involvement Process: Public comment transcripts
  - Public Involvement Process: 2006 (11.5 MB)
  - Public Involvement Process: 2007
  - Public Involvement Process: 2008 (34 MB)
  - Public Involvement Process: Written comments
  

Draft Redevelopment Plan Submittal Documents

Below are the three documents, in DRAFT form, required for the Local Reuse Authority's final redevelopment plan submittal as part of the BRAC process.

Note: In preparation for submission as part of the official Resolution for full City Council vote on the entire Draft Redevelopment Plan, staff reviewed the documents for spelling, grammar and general inaccuracies or inconsistencies. The revised versions, dated Sept. 5, 2008, are listed below, as well as previous versions. Minor "clean-ups" that did not affect the meaning or intent of the plan were not highlighted. The few substantive changes are listed in an accompanying pdf.

• Draft Redevelopment Plan, Sept. 5, 2008
  - See a list of substantive changes from July 28 version
  - Draft Redevelopment Plan Appendices, July 28, 2008
  
  Previous versions:
  Draft Redevelopment Plan, July 28, 2008
  For City Council review (includes chapters not available at the time of July 19 public meeting)
  - Draft Redevelopment Plan, July 18, 2008 (presented at July 19 public meeting)
  
  
• Draft Homeless Assistance Submission, Sept. 5, 2008
  Draft Homeless Assistance Submission, July 18, 2008
  
  
• Draft Public Involvement Process, July 18, 2008
  Draft Public Involvement Process Appendices:
  - public outreach materials from 2006 (11 MB)
  - public outreach materials from 2007
  - public outreach materials from 2008 (32 MB)

Background
In 1898, a group of Seattle landowners gave the land that became the site of Fort Lawton to the U.S. government for military use. In 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) decided to close the 70th Regional Support Command headquarters located at Fort Lawton no later than 2009.

The Army named the City of Seattle the Local Reuse Authority (LRA), responsible for the redevelopment of Fort Lawton. The City is facilitating public involvement to create a plan that adheres to federal guidelines while ensuring Fort Lawton becomes a livable and diverse mixed-income community, balancing all of the priorities while appropriately fitting into the surrounding neighborhood.

The redevelopment plan will balance several priorities, including open space, heron habitat, market-rate homes and housing for formerly homeless individuals and families.

page last updated: Aug. 13, 2009