Ft Lawton BRAC

Some Key Points: The Ft Lawton Army Reserve Base is located on the north east corner of Discovery Park: Map of Ft Lawton & Discovery Park In 2005 the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) selected Ft Lawton for closure. The Army named the City of Seattle as the Local Reuse Authority (LRA) responsible for the redevelopment of the Ft Lawton site. The McKinney Act requires that homeless housing be considered for all Base closures, and therefore the Final Plan for Ft Lawton includes homeless as well as market rate private housing. The Veterans Administration will be taking ownership of the building known as the FLARC (Ft Lawton Army Reserve Center.)  This is the newer building that sits up on the hillside against the Park. Jan 2012 - The VA Puget Sound Healthcare System did take possession of the FLARC, and work started  in 2011 to convert a portion of the building to lodging for VA patients and their families.  Construction is currently underway. Overview of the BRAC Process This covers the BRAC process conducted by the City from 2006 through 2008.  Many many pages of documents are available here.  The latest updates on the process are also posted here on this City webpage. Ft Lawton BRAC Update from City 3/17/09 Ft Lawton Release Letter from Army 6/2009.pdf This is a letter from the Army about their continued occupation of Ft Lawton until 2011. Ft Lawton BRAC Update from City 8/20/09 Lawsuit Won Against the City The Magnolia Neighborhood Planning Council, founded by Elizabeth Campbell, filed a lawsuit against the City for failure to comply with it's legal obligations under SEPA since the beginning of the BRAC process. In 2009, MNPC won the lawsuit hands down :) :) :)  The City's request for reconsideration was denied, the Appellate Court affirmed the Superior Court's decision, and the Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal of the Appellate Court's affirmation.  So now the case has precedential value, and has been cited in other lawsuits since then. Lawsuit Legal Documents and Rulings Published Court of Appeals Ruling Contact for lawsuit: Elizabeth Campbell Fort Lawton Property Update 1/5/12 As of September 16, 2011 the Army has vacated the property - all buildings are locked, and all signage has been removed. The Army continues to own and be responsible for the security of the property. City contact for BRAC: Christa Dumpys Army contact for the Fort Lawton property:  Scott.McKean@us.army.mil 206-883-7640 Leisy Hall Harvey Hall

View northwest from Trailblazer Field FLARC