The long-standing push for affordable housing at Fort Lawton, a once-derelict Army base near the edge of Magnolia’s Discovery Park, has become emblematic of the bureaucratic hurdles facing development in Seattle.
Since the U.S. Army labeled the property surplus in 2005, the City of Seattle has worked on a redevelopment plan aimed at allowing more families to reside near one of the city’s beloved parks.
However, the project has faced numerous delays, primarily due to appeals initiated by local residents, with the first appeal taking place in 2008.
Recently, the situation appears to be moving toward resolution, contingent upon overcoming several key obstacles in the forthcoming months.
Mayor Bruce Harrell presented a revised plan for Fort Lawton early last year, and the Office of Housing has been in the process of reissuing the environmental review—a crucial step that has previously stalled progress.
Last week, a public hearing at Discovery Park’s Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center allowed proponents and opponents of the redevelopment to voice their opinions in what may be among the final chances for public input.
Mayor Harrell’s new proposal adds significant housing density, increasing the unit count from 237 to over 500, while still dedicating nearly 22 acres to public parkland.
The increase in density is poised to reduce the per-unit cost of housing and will also incorporate infrastructure enhancements to accommodate the influx of new residents.
Although the specific site plan is still undeveloped—the city does not yet own the land—the envisioned Fort Lawton redevelopment includes approximately 200 affordable rental units, around 200 ownership homes developed in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, as well as 100 units of permanent supportive housing.
The supportive housing units, which will cater to individuals exiting homelessness, are set to be managed by the Chief Seattle Club.
During the recent public hearing, attendees voiced their opinions for 90 minutes, highlighting a mix of support for and concerns about the project.
Supporters urged the city to proceed, while critics echoed longstanding concerns such as traffic, increased crime worries related to permanent supportive housing in Magnolia, and potential environmental impacts from the development near Discovery Park.
Officials from various departments, including Seattle Parks and the Office of Housing, listened attentively to the testimonies, with notable presentations from Director Maiko Winkler-Chin and Councilmembers Alexis Mercedes Rinck and Dan Strauss.
As anticipated, many members of the Friends of Discovery Park board pushed back against the redevelopment plans, formally endorsing the cancellation of the housing project and advocating for allocating the fund for other housing options while extending the park.
The city countered that scrapping the redevelopment plan could lead to the U.S. Army selling the land to a private developer, resulting in no public parkland benefits.
Philip Vogelzang, President of the Friends of Discovery Park Board, expressed concern, stating that the city had failed to consider alternative options despite public input advocating for a parks-focused plan.
Vogelzang stated, “When you’re a doctor, you operate and you have options, [and] you always have a bailout. The city has never acknowledged a bailout. You’ve never thought about a Plan B.”
Part of the critical discourse at the hearing came from Pete Hanning, a former City Council candidate and a board member, who highlighted the need to consider the ecological impact on the wildlife residing within Discovery Park.
He remarked, “I think everyone checked their boxes, but we have a higher bar to cross when we’re talking about this development in relationship to one of the most precious parks in our entire city.”
Conversely, robust support emerged from housing advocates, including representatives from organizations that would oversee the management of the housing.
James Lovell, the Chief Community Development Officer for the Chief Seattle Club, pointed out that Native people make up just 1-2% of the region’s population, yet account for over 30% of the chronically homeless.
Lovell expressed, “We are here to heal our people and to continue to steward this land. This is not just another product for us; this is a part of our sacred work to heal our will and provide for the next seven generations.”
Colleen Clayton, another advocate, communicated her enthusiasm for the housing proposal, labeling it a necessary and overdue opportunity.
Clayton stated, “A project like this is truly rare and the best of all possible worlds. It opens up one of Seattle’s highest opportunity areas for the most marginalized communities.”
While proponents slightly outnumbered opponents in their testimonies, the debate remains fierce and multifaceted.
This public hearing marks just one part of an extended comment period that concludes Friday.
Following the comment period, the Office of Housing plans to issue a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).
However, the project could face further delays if appeals emerge after that stage, a complication that previously derailed the plan in 2018.
Despite revisions to state laws curtailing predatory appeals, any appeals could prolong the project’s timeline significantly.
Once these hurdles are cleared, the Fort Lawton redevelopment plan must then go to the Seattle City Council for a formal vote.
“The clock starts ticking for something like this when we go to council,” said Jessica Gomez, a strategic advisor for the Office of Housing, during a meeting with Seattle’s Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners this month.
She further noted that approval from the U.S. Army is necessary for the new plan, “which they’ve kind of been very excited to approve.”
Gomez concluded stating, “They’re waiting for our City Council to approve so that they can just hit the ground running.”
image source from：https://www.theurbanist.org/2025/05/30/fort-lawton-housing-project-faces-a-make-or-break-moment/
