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Mayor Durkan Advances Vision to Create New Affordable, Livable Community at Magnolia’s Ft. Lawton with Release of Draft Redevelopment Plan      

Plan would create newaffordable homes, preserve park space in a high opportunity area of our growing City  

Legislation will be transmitted to City Council this Spring 

Seattle (February 4, 2019) – To help address Seattle’s housing and affordability crisis and advance a vision for a new affordable, livable community at Ft. Lawton in Magnolia, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan released her draft plan for redevelopment of approximately 34 acres at Ft. Lawton. 

The plan includes mixed-income affordable housing, parks, and recreational space. It would create permanent supportive housing for seniors, apartments for low-wage working individuals and families, and home-ownership opportunities. Over 60 percent of the land at the Ft. Lawton site will be used for park and park-related uses, with preservation of existing natur100al areas that support wildlife habitat.  

“As we continue to address Seattle’s housing and affordability crisis, this plan builds on our commitment to drive the development of hundreds of more affordable homes while ensuring that our neighborhoods can be vibrant, livable spaces for this generation and the next,” said Mayor Durkan. “We will continue to listen to the community as we move forward on the redevelopment of this critically important public space.”   

The announced Draft Redevelopment Plan updates the original 2008 plan making it consistent with the Ft. Lawton Army Reserve Center Environmental Impact Statement issued in March 2018. The City has done extensive community outreach during the original process and additional public hearings and meetings conducted in 2017 and 2018, engaging with hundreds of community members and housing proponents from all corners of Seattle. Details on the upcoming public meeting on February 11, can be found below.  

In the coming weeks, Mayor Durkan will transmit the Redevelopment Plan to City Council to allow the City to formally acquire and develop the property.  

“This Draft Redevelopment Plan reflects years of discussions and planning with the public and stakeholders and holds true to the City’s vision for social responsibility and environmental stewardship,” said Steve Walker, director of the Office of Housing. “It is exciting to see another step forward in the process to create affordable homes in a high opportunity community.” 

The City is fostering strong partnerships with community stakeholders, service providers and public agencies to support new low-income residents in the Magnolia neighborhood.    

“We look forward to bringing the Habitat for Humanity homeownership model to Ft. Lawton to build community through collaboration,” said Brett D’Antonio, CEO of Habitat for Humanity. “We envision 50 families will be able to purchase a safe, stable affordable home – a life changing opportunity” 

“We have been committed to our partnership with the City of Seattle to bring affordable homes to Magnolia at Ft. Lawton for over ten years,” said Chris Jowell, Director of Agency Operations at Catholic Housing Services of Western Washington. “We are encouraged Mayor Durkan is taking action to move the draft redevelopment plan forward.” 

Draft Redevelopment Plan Details 

Mixed-income affordable housing:  

Home Type  Sponsor  Homes  Incomes Served 
       
Permanent Supportive Housing for Seniors   Catholic Housing Services of Western WA and United Indians of All Tribes   85 homes   30% and below Area Median Income  
Rental Apartments for low-income individuals and families   Catholic Housing Services of Western WA   Approximately 100 homes, including 2 and 3-bedroom family sized apartments   Up to 60% of Area Median Income  
Self-help Homeownership   Habitat for Humanity   Up to 52 homes   Up to 80% of Area Median Income  

 

Parks and Park Related:  

Passive recreation   13 acres  
Active recreation with opportunity for acquisition by Seattle Public Schools   6 acres  
Forest land incorporated into Discovery Park   4-5 acres  
Reuse of existing structure as park maintenance facility    

 

Public comments on the Draft Redevelopment Plan may be submitted in person verbally or in writing at the Public Meeting on the Draft Ft. Lawton Redevelopment Plan to be held on Monday, February 11 from 5:30 to 8:30 at the Catherine Blaine School at 2550 34th Ave W, in Magnolia. Comments may also be submitted to the Office of Housing by email to housing@seattle.gov or by mail to Office of Housing – Ft Lawton, PO Box 94725, Seattle, WA 98124-4725 to be received by February 22, 2019.  

For more information on the Ft. Lawton redevelopment plan:  

https://www.seattle.gov/housing/ft-lawton