The King County Council on Tuesday approved an ordinance that completes a land swap transaction to transfer ownership of City Hall Park from the City of Seattle to King County in exchange for 13 County-owned properties. The legislation was co-sponsored by King County Councilmembers Reagan Dunn, Jeanne Kohl-Welles, and Pete von Reichbauer.
“Today’s acquisition of City Hall Park is a major victory that allows King County to reclaim the park for taxpayers while working to create a safe environment around the King County Courthouse for our employees, jurors, and all who need to access government services,” Dunn said. “For too long, encampments have been allowed to multiply and expand across King County without intervention — but with this acquisition, King County shows that we can take back our public spaces for everyone to enjoy.”
The deal still needs approval from the Seattle City Council, where a vote is expected in January.
In June 2021, Dunn first raised concerns about violence and crime stemming City Hall Park, spurred by employee safety concerns and reports of 2-5 assaults per week, proposing to condemn it as a hazard to public health, safety, and welfare. Though this effort didn’t pass at the Council, Dunn then co-sponsored legislation with Councilmember Kohl-Welles seeking options for King County to acquire City Hall Park from the City of Seattle and explore future plans and uses of the park. This passed at the King County Council on October 19.
Earlier Tuesday, Dunn also sent a letter to King County Undersheriff Patti Cole-Tindall requesting her to develop a plan on how the Sheriff’s Office intends to provide law enforcement to City Hall Park upon taking office as Interim Sheriff on January 1, 2022. The Executive will explore the park’s use as part of a larger civic campus and outline a plan to provide support and relocation for any future encampments that might crop up on the site. A report is due to the Council by January 15, 2022.
