Public offers feedback on Fort Lawton housing plans

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated since it was originally published.)

SEATTLE - An old U.S. Army base could help the city reduce its homeless crisis, but even affordable housing advocates fault current plans to convert Fort Lawton.

The federal government is willing to turn over 34 acres, including buildings, near Discovery Park if Seattle can redevelop the site into affordable housing. The city has come up with several alternatives, but people who spoke out at a public hearing Tuesday night said all of them come up short in addressing the need.

Noticeably silent at the meeting were the Magnolia neighbors who oppose affordable housing at Fort Lawton, saying instead it should be used as additional park space. One neighbor later wrote to KOMO News to say that Tuesday's meeting was flooded by housing advocates with little or no connection to the Magnolia area, and voices of dissent were drowned out.

By contrast, most people who presented public comment criticized the city's plan for not going far enough.

Seattle is looking at several options, but the preferred alternative would create 238 units spread across a mix of permanent supportive housing, low-income rentals and low-income home ownership.

There are three other alternatives under consideration. Option 2 would create 113 units of market rate housing, with affordable housing shifted to the Laurelhurst neighborhood. Option 3 would focus on park enhancements, and also shift housing for the homeless to an alternate site. The last choice would leave Fort Lawton as is.

If the city can't settle on a plan, the Army could turn around and sell the land at market rates to a developer.