Seattle (June 10, 2019) – Mayor Jenny A. Durkan today celebrated the City Council’s 9-0 vote to approve her application for federal surplus property at Fort Lawton and Redevelopment Plan, which will use publicly owned land to help address Seattle’s housing and affordability crisis and advance a vision for a new affordable, livable community at Ft. Lawton in Magnolia. The City of Seattle is now able to formally acquire and develop the property.
“We must continue to act to address our affordability and housing crisis. This plan builds on our commitment to create hundreds of more affordable homes at Fort Lawton on a piece of public property while ensuring that our neighborhoods can be vibrant, livable spaces today and for the next generation,” said Mayor Durkan. “After more than a decade of community engagement, we can finally use this public land at Fort Lawton for hundreds of affordable homes, surrounded by parks and recreation space for everyone. I look forward to signing this plan into law in the coming weeks. As we develop this critical public space, we will continue to engage the community to ensure we stay true to this vision.”
The legislation will bring mixed-income affordable housing, parks, and recreational space. It would create up to 238 new affordable homes, including permanent supportive housing for seniors, apartments for low-wage working individuals and families, and home-ownership opportunities. A substantial portion of the land at the Ft. Lawton site will be used for park and park-related uses, with preservation of existing natural areas that support wildlife habitat.
Visit www.seattle.gov/housing/ft-lawton for more information on the Ft. Lawton Redevelopment Plan.