News Update : Seattle approved Fort Lawton housing years ago. So why is nothing happening?

Victor K • January 14, 2024

An aerial view of a city with a red area in the middle.

The plan for the redevelopment of 34 acres of Fort Lawton into affordable housing was passed three years ago by Seattle's Legislative body. However, the project faces huge delays after an initial surge. The delay has caused the area to be infected with moss and unusable in any shape and form. The ex-military installation now waits for the redevelopment. Here is the latest on the housing development project from our staffers at United Seattle.

HUD Approval Delayed

HUD or the US Department of Housing and Urban Development has not yet given the final approval for the site redevelopment. The 90-million-dollar megaproject is still battling with the provision of all the requirements put up by HUD. This has caused an unexpected delay in the approval of the project and subsequent spade work. The city's spokesperson, Jamie Housen, mentioned that the aging infrastructure of the site poses unique challenges, compounded by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on resource allocation.

The Legal Battle

Two ongoing legal problems are making the project more difficult. One is a lawsuit by Friends of Discovery Park, saying it might hurt a group of great blue herons nearby. Seattle, because of a deal with the Army, must pay more than $585,000 every year for upkeep. Even though some people are frustrated, those who like the plan say it won't hurt the neighborhood or the birds living there.

A large brick building with a lot of windows is sitting in the middle of a field.

Ongoing Confusion

Former HUD deputy secretary Ron Sims has expressed his confusion and frustration at the same time on this delay. The redevelopment is right in line with Biden's HUD-related goals which makes it more frustrating under the present government. Frustration among supporters of the plan, such as Carol Burton from the Magnolia Community Council, is palpable, given the prolonged delays and uncertainties.

Historical Context

With the military control of Fort Lawton along with the 2008 blockage by court order, the area looks ghostly at best. The current plan was proposed in 2019 so that existing buildings can be recycled to form low-income housing projects which included studios, rental spaces and affordable-for-sale units. However, the project remains in limbo as frustration grows.

An aerial view of a city with lots of buildings and trees

Final Hurdle : Finances

HUD working together with Seattle is very important for the project to move forward. Vanessa Krueger, who speaks for HUD, talked about the continuous effort to meet the requirements of the Base Realignment and Closure Process. She highlighted the importance of finding money sources for building. Seattle's plan in 2019 estimated costs for different parts of the project, but they need to update it now because of inflation, problems with the supply chain, and interest rates going up.

The Way Forward

The housing project along with green space is a much-needed requirement in a city like Seattle. However, the Fort Lawton project is facing down the barrel due to HUD approval delays, legal battles, financial hurdles, and mass confusion. The city is inching towards the solution on all fronts, but an immediate solution might not be in sight. The fate of this redevelopment hangs in the balance, leaving advocates eager for progress and the community yearning for a resolution to a project that has seemingly lingered for an eternity.

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