Fort Lawton turned over to the City of Seattle

BY KIRO Radio Staff  on February 25, 2012 @ 11:07 am (Updated: 12:15 pm - 2/25/12 )

Fort Lawton, the World War II era military facility and R.O.T.C. station in Seattle's Discovery Park closed on Saturday morning. The ceremony complete with cannon fire and a 21-gun salute, officially closed the 111-year-old post as it's being turned over to the city of Seattle.

Once a sprawling U.S. Army base where one million men passed through on their way to World War II, much of the land was declared surplus and given to the city to become Discovery Park. The Army Reserves Center and complex that remained were vacated last September after the federal government's decision to close the base.

For the past few years, city officials have been working with the Army on a plan to sell the remaining property to the city. All but 16 acres of the 45-acre fort will be turned over to the City, which still has not officially decided what it will do with the land.

The fort was first built in 1900 on 1,100 acres on Magnolia Bluff and named after Maj. Gen. Henry Ware Lawton, a veteran of the Civil War, Indian Wars, and Spanish-American campaigns who died in the Philippines.

The fort is perhaps most famous for the lynching of an Italian POW after rioting on the night of Aug. 14., 1944 and the court-martial that ensued.

A decision on selling the property to the city remains in the Army's hands. City officials have proposed a redevelopment plan that includes building housing for the homeless, which has been controversial with Magnolia residents.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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Comments (5)


  • Add A Comment

  • pgreenswim wrote...
    I'm sure it will cost nothing.
    February 25, 2012 3:12 pm
    When federal property is given to states, counties or cities, there usually isn't a charge. This also include property that isn't land. My main concern is the foolish plan to build housing for the homeless. That will cost a pretty penny to build and upkeep, and for the homeowners in the area that will see their property values plummet with all the bums around. Another brilliant plan by the city.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Snout wrote...
    Housing for the homeless???
    February 25, 2012 5:43 pm
    WHAT THE DEUCE??? It's a great park that should be either kept as such for use by the TAXPAYERS or perhaps carve out a chunk for development to be sold to other TAXPAYERS. No way should such prime real estate be wasted on the homeless. Look at what happened at Sand Point. That housing development is a fracking dump now. If we are going to spend money on housing for the homeless, find a cheaper hunk of land for Pete's sake. They don't seem to mind passing out under the freeway so any place would be a step up for them.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • murr wrote...
    It will be run as smoothly (as)
    February 25, 2012 7:02 pm
    We did not see the down turn in the economy on its way. We could not predict how bad it was going to be. The same insight is on its way. Well would you THINK it might be any differnt. Now that they lost the tax base from an outside source. Let the charade begin. How is that gravel pit doing over on that island you bought. LOL
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • AKAF wrote...
    Home for the homeless...
    February 26, 2012 1:36 am
    Home for the homeless just don't let the government run it. It would be better for the private organizations, including religious, to run the camp. Everytime the government gets involved there is always redtape and over spending.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Country_Dog wrote...
    Oh, great ... the US government is surrending to Seattle?!
    February 26, 2012 6:25 am
    This is not a good sign.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }