Council expresses support for new home for The Center for Wooden Boats at Metro Transit site on North Lake Union

September 12, 2011

Summary

Location would open up public access to north end of Lake Union

Story

Efforts to locate The Center for Wooden Boats and increase public access to Seattle’s North Lake Union moved forward today with the Metropolitan King County Council’s unanimous vote in support of negotiations toward an interim lease agreement for The Center for Wooden Boats on Metro Transit property on North Lake Union.

“County-owned property on North Lake Union has the potential to provide a great home for The Center for Wooden Boats and wonderful opportunities for the community to experience maritime heritage and have access to waterfront property on North Lake Union,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips, sponsor of the legislation. “Negotiating an interim lease allows these plans to move forward while the parties work through the complex legal, financial, and environmental issues involved with the site.”

The North Lake Union dock site, owned by the Metro Transit Division of the King County Department of Transportation, has long been the subject of interest by neighborhood residents. The Center for Wooden Boats will continue to operate a facility in South Lake Union, but sees the potential of providing Lake Union public access and boating education to the communities of North Lake Union.

When negotiations between Metro Transit and The Center reached an impasse in 2010, the Council adopted legislation that called for a memorandum of understanding between the parties outlining the parameters of the negotiations, and for the support of a facilitator to assist the negotiations. The parties have since concluded the memorandum of understanding and no key points of difference remain between the parties.

An interim lease for the landside portion of the property, including a warehouse and a parking lot, will allow The Center for Wooden Boats to use the property while negotiations continue.