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.

A man and a woman are sitting in front of a house.
By Victor K July 9, 2025
With the ever-increasing challenges in housing within Seattle today, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have started to pop up in popularity. This opens a wide range of working jobs for any commercial subcontractor Seattle. Understanding what they are and why they matter is an important discussion for the homeowner and the potential buyer. What Are ADUs? The accessory dwelling unit, more commonly known as an ADU, is an additional residential unit on the same lot as a primary residence. Units can also come in the form of basement apartments, converted garages, or standalone structures in the backyard associated with the primary residence. They are designed to add space without changing the character of a neighborhood. Some of the regulations regarding ADUs have been refined over time to allow the owners to develop such units. Smooth procedures for Seattle ADU permits have already enabled a lot of citizens of this city to construct these highly essential living spaces. It's all part of a bigger push to boost housing density without compromising the integrity of the community. There are two basic ways of offering an ADU for a commercial construction subcontractor Seattle which includes Prefab and a Stick Built ADU. Prefab vs. Stick-built ADUs Prefab pr modular ADUs are one-stop solutions where the ADU is premade and delivered to the construction or home site where it is assembled by a commercial subcontractor Seattle. On the other hand, a stick-built ADU is a traditional way of building an ADU at the actual site. This comes with advantages like customization and disadvantages like time delays and structural re-modeling during the project. Both types have their own pros and cons. We look at some of the basic metrics that you can use to offer a specific type of ADU or build a niche expertise as a building subcontractor Washington.
By Victor K July 2, 2025
Green and sustainable construction has become the latest buzzword in the Seattle construction industry. Any commercial subcontractor Seattle will tell you that this is the way forward and if a commercial construction subcontractor Seattle is not offering these services, the projects will dry up quickly, especially the ones associated with ADUs and DADUs. By becoming a trusted name as a building subcontractor Washington who offers green DADU building services, not only do you get more projects but free marketing as well. There are a number of advantages on offer for general contractors as well as homeowners making your commercial construction project management Seattle company an instant hit in a competitive Seattle market. We look at some of the advantages that you instantly gain and offer to your clients as a commercial subcontractor Seattle. The importance of Green DADU The first and foremost thing you should know is that people who are building DADUs in their already completed structures think differently. It is their forward-thinking approach that makes them contact a commercial construction subcontractor Seattle to add a structure to their house. The latest wave of green requirements has taken the Seattle market by storm and any building subcontractor Washington should become an expert before the bandwidth is choked. For subcontractors, this means that simply meeting the code is no longer enough. Clients want DADUs that are net-zero-ready, energy-efficient, and environmentally sound from the ground up. Builders and general contractors are increasingly looking for subs who understand these goals and can contribute solutions, not just labor. 
By Victor K June 24, 2025
Before contracting for an ADU in Seattle, it is important to know the different kinds of permits and the processes involved. Since it is usually a legal battle, it becomes a struggle costing you money, time, and reputation in the market. You must also fully understand what constitutes an ADU and its differences from a DADU. Many instances in the past have involved the wrong permit process initiation because of how the state defines an ADU and how your client does it. Let us dive into some of the steps you must take as a commercial construction subcontractor Seattle to ensure that your legal aspect is as good as your construction practice. ADU vs DADU Zoning Laws Seattle/s zoning laws allow the construction of ADU and DADU on most single-family homes. Generically, the difference is between the square footage and setback rules. As a general code, the commercial project management Seattle should additionally check for Lot zones and overlays like environment, public buildings and critical zones, etc. Proper Assessment Pre-planned site assessment is a special art that leads to better end results for any construction management subcontractor. It goes the same for any construction project but specially for an ADU since this is constructed in an already built property . The zone and code violations usually come into play at the end of the project and therefore extreme care should be exercised at the very start. Some of the important aspects to be checked are local zoning laws, lot size, slope, utility access and setbacks. Encourage clients to get a Pre-Application Site Visit (PASV) from the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) if the site has complexity. 
More Posts

We Offer All the Services You Need in One Place! We Will Save You Time and Money!

Call Us at (425) 521-7916 Now to Get a Free Estimate or a Free Consultation for Any of Our Services!

Contact Us