City Departments
Seattle City Council
2/8/2006 10:29:00 AM
Michael Fong (206) 684-8808
CITY SEEKING TO ACQUIRE INS FEDERAL BUILDING
Rasmussen legislation sets process in motion
SEATTLE – The City Council is working to acquire the INS Federal Building. The building, located in the southwestern corner of Chinatown/International District at 815 Airport Way South, has been vacant since 2004. Last year, the Federal Government’s General Services Administration (GSA) designated the property as surplus and sought proposals for its reuse. City leaders are interested in the site as a possible future location for housing, services or a public gathering place of cultural significance.
“Redevelopment of the INS Building will help revitalize and reenergize that corner of the Chinatown/International District,” said Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, sponsor of the legislation. He added, “The first step is to acquire the site and then conduct a thorough public process to identify the community’s vision for the property.”
Councilmember Rasmussen and city staff toured the INS Federal Building last week. On Monday, Rasmussen introduced Council Resolution 30841 which would authorize the City’s Office of Housing to submit an application to the Department of the Interior to request transfer of ownership of the INS Federal Building to the City of Seattle. The Council will receive a full briefing on the issue on Monday, February 20 at 9:30 a.m. Rasmussen’s Housing, Human Services and Health Committee will take public comment on the legislation on Friday, February 24th at 9:00 a.m. The Council is expected to take a final vote before the end of February.
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