Seattle locals, it's your time to have a say in the transformation of Fort Lawton. The City of Seattle is pushing forward with plans to revamp 34 acres of the former Army Reserve Center in Magnolia. As reported by parkways.seattle.gov, the vision is to turn this space into a blend of supportive housing, affordable homes, and park amenities. As part of the redevelopment, the number of homes will increase, potentially up to 500 units, and will include housing options for homeless veterans, seniors, and those with low income alongside public parks.
The City's Office of Housing and Seattle Parks and Recreation are calling on the public to share their opinions and help fine-tune the project. In addition to a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to gauge the redevelopment's various environmental impacts, residents' feedback is sought to ensure the final plan truly reflects community needs. According to the official announcement, subjects like geology, air quality, and biological resources are under review.
For those eager to be heard, two public engagement sessions have been scheduled. The first is an in-person open house set for October 10, 2024, at the Daybreak Star Cultural Center between 6 and 8 p.m. There's also a virtual meeting on October 15, 2024, from 10 to 11 a.m., for which registration is required. These sessions aim to equip residents with project details, field questions, and record community suggestions.
If attending isn't an option, the city still welcomes your input. You can send your thoughts directly via email to [email protected] or, mail them to Jessica Gomez at the Office of Housing. As stated by parkways.seattle.gov, participating in this public process places residents at the heart of planning, providing them with a role in the future face of Fort Lawton.
