Since it was determined years ago that city owned property at 1799 Southwest Webster Street was expendable, Seattle's Fleets and Facilities Department has made an initial recommendation that the land be auctioned off, but local community members want the area remain an open green space.

The property, located off Dumar Way Southwest, has been undeveloped and, largely, unused for approximately 30 years. Now that the city has determined that they do not need the property there are several options of what to do with the land. It could be auctioned off in a public bid process, converted into a park, or maintained in its current, undeveloped state.

If it is auctioned off, it is likely that just one home would be built on the 8,200 square foot property, which lies in a single family zone. But some neighbors questioned whether it is responsible to encourage new housing development given the current state of the economy.

There are also some concerns with the property being transferred to the Parks Department. For one, the department would have to pay for the property. A representative from Seattle's Parks Department, pointed out that because West Seattle has so many other green spaces, purchasing and maintaining this particular property might not be the best use of parks funds.

A slope on the property could also make the property less desirable for a park.

Still, other members of the community questioned why the site cannot remain an undeveloped, open green space that is not under the parks department.

"It's been sitting the way it is for 30 years," said local resident Gary Peterson. "It's not exactly high maintenance."

At a community meeting on Nov. 19, none of approximately a dozen community members wanted to see the site developed.

After families living in the close range of the property were sent a notice, local resident Garrett Boge compiled a petition with 74 signatures urging the Fleets and Facilities Department to recommend that property be maintained as a green space.

"We want to save some of the precious, remaining, undeveloped green space left in our neighborhood," said Boge.

A final decision on the property will be determined by the Seattle City Council after the Fleets and Facilities Department submits final legislation recommending a specific action, which will likely occur in the next three to four months.

Representatives from Fleets and Facilities have urged community members to comment on the legislation so that the city council knows their opinion on the property.

"As citizens you have a strong voice," said Hillary Hamilton, strategic advisor of Seattle's Fleets and Facilities Department.

Rose Egge may be contacted at 932.0300 or rosee@robinsonnews.com