Construction of new buildings at Fircrest

Photo courtesy DSHS 

Fircrest Master Development Plan calls for a new Nursing Facility, Laundry, and 48 bed Behavioral Health building at the north end of the campus on 15th NE. 

Fircrest is owned and operated by the Department of Social and Health Services and houses disabled people who need around the clock services.

The Behavioral Health unit will serve people who have been involuntarily committed to receive mental health treatment in a secure environment for up to six months. Funding has not yet been received for this facility.

See our previous article

Demolition is now complete at the Fircrest site and construction has begun on the nursing facility and the laundry building.

Steve Hardy, Facilities Manager, recently published this aerial photo of the site and DSHS media relations provided these details about the site:

• New Laundry Building at the north side of site. This is in the location where one of the Y-Buildings was removed to make room for it. Laundry Building: 1-story and 6,336 SF.
• Middle U-shaped building is the Nursing Facility. The grey is the poured concrete slab. The yellow is a vapor barrier installed prior to the concrete slab. 
• The North Wing houses 60 residents within 3 floors. 
• The South Wing houses 60 more residents within 3 floors. Total of 120 residents when complete. 
• Nursing Facility: 2-3 stories and 126,808 SF.
• The Y-Building “Birch” is one of five remaining buildings that houses the residents until their new facility opens.
• A new road shows along the west side, extending from the 155th Street entrance north and around the north side of the nursing facility to connect to the rest of the road system around the Fircrest campus.
• The blue line to the east is construction fencing and the construction project boundary.
• The orange line to the west is the erosion control measures for the project and the project boundary.

Update: Construction has begun on the nursing facility and the laundry. Funding has not yet been received for the behavioral health building.

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Fircrest School hosting Blood Drive August 27, 2025

By Tom Petersen

The Bloodworks Northwest mobile unit will be at the Fircrest School on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 from 9am to 3pm, handy for donors on Shoreline's east side!

Shoreline came up big on the first weekend in August, delivering over 60 much-needed units of blood at a time when supplies throughout the region were critically low. Now with Labor Day weekend and an east coast hurricane fast approaching, the need for blood will once again be high.

The bloodmobile will be on the grounds at 15230 15th Avenue NE, 98155 . . . look for signs and a big blue air-conditioned bus! Donating blood takes an hour or less.

Appointments are recommended, but walk-ups are taken on a space-available basis. Book a time to fit your schedule at www.bloodworksnw.org or call 1-800-398-7888.

Whole blood donations can be made every 8 weeks and it's a great routine that benefits all people. 

For those who aren't "on cycle" for the Fircrest event, there will be mobile drives in Richmond Beach on September 6 and elsewhere in Shoreline at the end of September. 

Bloodworks also has donation centers open most days of the week in Lynnwood and northern Seattle; these centers also have apheresis machines to collect blood products like platelets and plasma.

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Fircrest Urban Forest

Fircrest master development plan

By Kathleen Russell

Save Shoreline Trees, Co-chair

Last week, 18 public right-of-way trees were cut down along 15th Ave NE, north of the Fircrest entrance at NE 155th St. (See article)

Remaining trees along 15th NE to Hamlin Park Rd are on the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) site and approximately 15 trees will be cut down. 

While these tree removals will be visible from 15th, tree removal placards are not required. 

In addition, a Clearing and Grading permit has been issued to DSHS. 

This allows 175 trees to be cut down for the construction of the new 120-bed skilled nursing facility, laundry and parking area.

Due to project size, DSHS is required to fund the frontage improvements along 15th NE at the Fircrest entrance north to Hamlin Park Rd including tree replacements, a 10-foot- wide path for pedestrians and bicyclists, separated from vehicle traffic by a buffer of at least three feet where feasible, and pedestrian trails.

As stated in the Hearing Examiner Decision, issued May 3, 2024, there is the requirement that 80% of the trees on the Fircrest campus must be retained and an annual inventory of trees be submitted to the City of Shoreline. 

There are approximately 2,444 trees on the Fircrest campus. No trees will be removed within the boundary of the protected historic Chapel area unless trees are determined as hazardous. The Chapel is a City of Shoreline Landmark recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. (See previous article)

With all of the upcoming changes, Fircrest will retain its urban forest. An example of how trees and development can co-exist.

I appreciate the time Shoreline Planning Manager Elise Keim spent answering my questions about tree removal at Fircrest.

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Implementation of Fircrest master development plan takes down trees along 15th NE

Clearcutting along 15th NE on Fircrest property
Photo by Seattle Poppy

Fircrest School Master Development projects are underway, including improvements to roads inside the complex.

Required frontage improvements along 15th NE made it necessary to remove a number of mature evergreens. They will be replaced 1:1 by new trees.

Existing lanes inside Fircrest will be improved
Photo by Seattle Poppy

Roads inside the property will also be improved. The immediate project includes construction of a new, 120-bed skilled nursing facility, which was authorized by the Washington State Legislature. 

The facility would be overseen by DDA and provide critical services for residents at the Residential Habilitation Center.

A notice was placed on every tree before it was cut. The names listed are project managers for Kiewit Corporation.

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Fircrest nursing facility earns Five-Star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Fircrest RHC staff celebrate their Five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

DSHS is thrilled to announce that the Fircrest Nursing Facility earned a prestigious five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, placing it among the top 10% of nursing homes in Washington state.

DSHS Fircrest Residential Habilitation Center is located in Shoreline and serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It offers services partially funded through two different programs regulated by CMS. One of these programs includes our nursing facility, which provides personalized healthcare and engaging activities for those with unique medical needs.

Fircrest Superintendent Ramanjeet Singh credited this extraordinary achievement to the nursing home team. “I want to extend heartfelt kudos to our incredible team,” said Singh. “This accomplishment reflects collective effort. It’s not just one person — the team working together with dedication and compassion.”

Singh emphasizes the importance of a positive mindset in achieving this recognition. “Attitude matters. Our staff are open to change and are always looking for ways to serve our residents better; that mindset is essential,” Singh noted.

The annual CMS survey evaluates health inspections, quality management and staffing, ensuring that nursing homes meet federal standards and facility policies. 

In addition to the CMS rating, the nursing facility received a commendation from the King County Public Health infection control team, who praised the facility for exceeding the infection control measures. 

“They told us we’re doing more than expected. That was incredibly affirming,” Singh shared.

In recent years, especially during the challenges posed by the pandemic, Fircrest staff have worked diligently to strengthen policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.

Singh praised our team’s commitment to safety and strong relationships with residents’ guardians. “Our staff work tirelessly to ensure every resident feels safe and supported in the environment they call home,” said Singh. “Timely assessment and personalized care planning are vital parts of what we do.”

From the moment a resident arrives, staff focus on involving families and guardians. They start by understanding their medical background and continue with ongoing, meaningful conversations throughout their care journey.

“Many of our guardians tell us they feel peace of mind knowing their loved ones are at Fircrest,” Singh explained. “That trust comes from the deep compassion our staff show every day. They don’t just care for residents — they build meaningful connections that truly feel like family.”

DSHS is proud of its achievements and grateful for the dedication of its staff, residents, and families. Together, we will continue to uphold the highest standards of care and support at Fircrest Nursing Facility.

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No decisions have been made yet on Fircrest property; information meeting Thursday April 10, 2025

The area in question is the green field all the way up to the top of the photo.
Aerial photo by David Carlos

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public meeting on Thursday, April 10, 2025, 5:30pm at the Shoreline Center to discuss a rezone at the Fircrest campus.

Proposed rezone is a change from “Campus Zone” to “Central Business Zone” of this 10.3-acre lot, formerly part of the Fircrest Campus.

Matthew Matulovich, DNR Transition Lands Planning Manager, who will be conducting the public meeting, said that

The rezone will keep use options as flexible as possible. There no other plans at this point. Once they expand the permitted uses they will assess potential uses/users

Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 5:30pm in the Shoreline room at the north end of the Shoreline Center, 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline WA 98155. Enter from the north parking lot.

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State DNR proposes rezone of section of Fircrest campus along 15th NE to Central Business Zone

Area of the Fircrest site proposed for rezone to Central Business Zone
Map courtesy DNR

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public meeting on Thursday, April 10, 2025, 5:30pm at the Shoreline Center to discuss a rezone at the Fircrest campus.

At issue is the southwest portion along 15th Ave NE (see map above).

Proposed rezone is a change from “Campus Zone” to “Central Business Zone” of this 10.3-acre lot, formerly part of the Fircrest Campus.

During this presentation, we will present project specifics and solicit feedback on a proposed rezone so that we can address potential concerns together.

Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 5:30pm in the Shoreline room at the north end of the Shoreline Center, 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline WA 98155. Enter from the north parking lot.

Legal description: King County parcel: 7769700030, abbreviated legal description: SHORELINE BSP #PSS 23-0112 (REC #20240805000331 VOL 305 PGS 22-25).

For more information contact:

Matthew V. Matulovich
Transition Lands Planning Manager
matthew.matulovich@dnr.wa.gov
cell: 564-669-0897

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Learn about new nursing facility building at Fircrest Open House July 31, 2024

The Department of Social and Health Services is holding an Open House to show the details for a new nursing facility building to be built in the Fircrest Residential Habilitation Center in Shoreline. (see our previous story on the project)

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, July 31, 2024
• Time: 5:30pm to 7pm
• Location: Fircrest Residential Habilitation Center, 15230 15th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155, in the Activities Building, Building #67.

The open house will welcome community members to view plans for the new facility, meet the staff, and learn about the services to be provided. Attendees can ask questions about the project and engage with DSHS officials, Anchor Health Properties (developer), and Kiewit Construction (contractor).

Project Information:

The Fircrest Nursing Facility project will be a new three-story, 120-bed nursing facility in approximately 130,000 square feet. The building will be built with Person-Centered Care to promote choice, purpose, and meaning in daily life.

As per the pre-design study, the new facility includes:

• Private and semi-private bedrooms with adjacent toilet and bathing facilities
• Shared common areas and dining rooms
• Meeting and multi-purpose rooms for resident recreation, therapy, activities, and operations
• Individual and shared spaces for program managers and nursing, custodial, and maintenance staff
• Storage space for an abundance of equipment and supplies, including wheelchairs and laundry carts
• Access to outside porches, patios, and serene gardens
• Staff and visitor parking with canopy structures for photovoltaic panels

In addition, the project will include:

• Upgraded site utilities to include water system improvements
• Funding for street/sidewalk improvements as required by the City of Shoreline
• A new, separate 6,400-square-foot laundry facility to support the entire Fircrest School program

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Hearing Examiner wants more information on Fircrest behavioral health facility

A screen shot from the March 6 public hearing shows
Hearing Examiner Gary McLean asking for more information
from DSHS and Shoreline city staff. 

By Oliver Moffat

At a public hearing on March 6, 2024 Hearing Examiner Gary McLean told the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to release more details about the behavioral health facility planned for the Fircrest campus. 

He told DSHS to engage with the Shoreline School District on the plan and gave DSHS more time to solicit input before he makes a final decision. 

McLean said he could issue a ruling on the overall Fircrest Master Development Plan sooner if it were separated from the behavioral health facility plan.

As previously reported, DSHS is seeking permits to move forward with redevelopment plans on the Fircrest campus.

One plan - called the Master Development Plan - outlines redevelopment changes for the overall campus including a new skilled nursing facility to replace the dangerously outdated “Y” buildings.

At the same time, DSHS is seeking a permit to build a new 48 bed behavioral health facility on the campus that would provide mental health treatment in a secure environment for civilly committed individuals.

A map from the Fircrest Master Development Plan shows the proposed location of a behavioral health facility in the northeast quadrant of the Fircrest campus.

The facility will have large spaces for activities, exercise, and life skills instruction to help transition patients back into the community. According to the plan, “these facilities would give the state a unique opportunity to improve access to behavioral health services by providing more capacity and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness by creating a more effective treatment model.”

Hearing Examiner McClean heard public comments on both permit applications at the March 6th meeting, but his concerns focused on what he considered insufficient public engagement on the behavioral health facility.

In remarks about the proposed facility, Examiner McLean issued the finding “that I don’t think a lot of people had any idea what the individuals might be…” who could be involuntarily committed at the facility. “And I dare say the school district doesn’t have a clue either,” he said.

The Shorecrest campus is adjacent to the Fircrest property.
Kellogg Middle School is north of Shorecrest.
Photo from Google satellite view.

In an emailed response to questions, a spokesperson for the Shoreline school district said, “DSHS has reached out to the school district, and we are in contact and working with them to learn more about the project and move forward together.”

According to the plan, the project will be licensed as a residential treatment facility, will be secure and locked in compliance with state law, and will comply with nine other codes and guidelines for such facilities.

The 198-page plan includes detailed descriptions of security measures from architectural floor plans that maximize safety for patients and staff to the kinds of locks used on the doors.

Executives from DSHS testified and answered McClean’s questions at the public hearing about the patients who might be treated at the facility and the security measures that will ensure the safety of staff, residents and the community.

McLean gave DSHS until March 20 to post additional information about the plan for the facility on the city’s website so that “parties of record” could provide written responses via email. “That’s not everybody. That’s the people that came and the people that spoke…” at the public hearing said McClean. He also named the school district a party of record.

In a concession, McClean will allow DSHS to “bifurcate” the two permit applications so that he could rule on the Fircrest plan separately from the behavioral health facility permit. If McClean approves the Fircrest plan, this would allow DSHS to start work on the skilled nursing facility without having to wait for the time consuming public engagement process he is requiring for the behavioral health facility.

Behavioral Health Facilities have faced controversy in King County.

The King County Department of Public Defense argues against the use of involuntary commitment, according to their website. “Our goal is to see resources diverted away from an expensive, court-based system that strips people of their liberty and dignity and to instead put resources into community-based programs that can provide housing, health care, and other supports to people living with chronic mental health disorders.”

As reported by The Seattle Times, one of the region’s largest behavioral health facilities unexpectedly stopped accepting new patients last summer. The move reduced the number of available beds for treatment of people suffering from acute psychiatric symptoms and followed allegations of safety lapses.

Read more...

Public hearing for Fircrest nursing facility “Grudgingly Accepted” by some

The Fircrest plan calls for a new nursing facility to replace the badly outdated buildings like this one.
 Photo by Oliver Moffat

By Oliver Moffat

A stroll along the meandering pathways of the forested 65 acre Fircrest campus provides a quiet and peaceful break from the busy car traffic of 15th Ave NE.

Despite the peaceful setting, the future of the Fircrest campus has long been the focus of controversy with some advocates calling for the facility be closed while others seek upgrades.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has applied for a permit to proceed with the Fircrest School Master Development Plan - a twenty year plan for the campus. A public hearing on the plan will be held on Wednesday night March 6, 2024 at Shoreline city hall.

The plan calls for the demolition of aging buildings that have fallen into disrepair. In their place, new residential cottages, and a commissary.

The southeastern quadrant where the dog park is today will be redeveloped into commercial spaces. In the center of the campus, the historic chapel will be preserved and the plan calls for retention of as many significant trees as possible. A new public, forested trail will connect the chapel to Hamlin Park to the north.

A rendering from the Fircrest plan shows the proposed nursing facility that has drawn criticism 

A controversial 120-bed nursing facility is also planned that would replace the dangerously aging “Y buildings”.

Originally a Naval Hospital during World War II, the site was used as a tuberculosis sanatorium before Fircrest opened in 1958. By the middle of the 1960s Fircrest was home to over a thousand residents with mental and physical impairments. 

Since then, the population has declined to about two hundred residents thanks to advances in rights for people with disabilities that moved people out of isolated institutions and helped parents support family members at home.

Some of those residents now live in the Fircrest nursing facility in the northwest quadrant of the campus in six Y-shaped buildings dating from the 1960s. These structures do not meet current seismic codes according to the plan and virtually everything needs to be replaced including heating, plumbing and electric.

Current view of Fircrest from Google Earth shows the Y shaped buildings.

After decades of conflict between advocates, families and caregivers, the State Legislature tasked a workgroup to broker consensus between stakeholders and make a specific set of recommendations.

According to the workgroup report, most adults with developmental disabilities live at home with their aging parents acting as caregivers. As their parents age and are no longer able to care for them, they need long-term supportive care.

After listening to over 135 people including residents, parents, and caregivers, the workgroup made a series of twenty recommendations five years ago.

One of those recommendations was for the state to build a new 120-bed nursing facility replacement on the Fircrest campus.

To many disability rights advocates, Fircrest is a relic of a bygone age when people with disabilities were segregated from the community. Advocates including The Arc of Washington and Disability Rights Washington have called for shutting down the facility arguing that residents can receive better care within the community.

An alternative preferred by some advocates was a plan to build multiple 6-bedroom homes across the state that would site residents closer to their communities of origin while allowing them to live in a non-institutional home.

According to a follow up report published by the workgroup early this week, the Fircrest recommendation is still contentious with some while others have “grudgingly accepted” that the facility will be built; like it or not.

DSHS is also seeking a special use permit to build a new 48 bed behavioral health facility on the campus that would provide urgently needed capacity to serve people who have been involuntarily committed to receive mental health treatment in a secure environment for up to six months. The facility will have large spaces for activities, exercise and life skills instruction to help transition patients back into the community.

Some neighborhood residents have expressed concern over the development of the campus, preferring preservation of open space and historic buildings instead of new buildings and commercial space.

In September of 2023, the Naval Hospital Chapel on the campus was listed on the Washington State Registry of Historic Places. (See previous articles about the Chapel and Fircrest)

A locked gate separating Fircrest from Hamlin Park could be removed under the plan.
Photo by Oliver Moffat

According to the proposed plan, the chapel and its surrounding forest will be preserved and a new network of trails will connect the chapel to Hamlin Park to the north. Currently, access to Hamlin Park is blocked by locked gates, preventing Fircrest residents and caregivers from waking north into the 80 acre forested park. The plan also includes badly needed sidewalk and bicycle lane improvements along 15th Ave NE to the west and NE 150th St to the south.

A study in 2023 recorded 2,258 significant trees within the Master Development Plan boundary. It is unclear at this point which trees will be retained: the plan says a minimum of 60% of significant trees will be retained while city staff are recommending that 80% of trees be retained.

A map from the Fircrest plan shows the location of the proposed nursing facility and walking trails connecting the historic chapel to Hamlin Park.

On a typical Saturday afternoon, the noisiest thing on the peaceful campus is the Eastside Off-Leash Dog Area located in the southeast quadrant of the campus. The city currently has a month-to-month lease to use the site which is expected to end when dog parks at Ridgecrest Park and James Keough Park funded by the 2022 Park Bond open. According to the proposed plan, the dog park will be redeveloped into commercial or office space and will include publicly accessible open space.

The Fircrest Master Development Plan does not include the southwest quadrant of the campus where the COVID testing site was located during the height of the pandemic. 

A proposed amendment to the city’s Comprehensive Plan would rezone that parcel which is owned by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). A bill (House Bill 2003) that would provide tax exemptions to incentivize affordable housing on DNR owned lands is on the way to the Governor’s desk after sailing through the House and Senate with broad bipartisan support in this year’s legislative session. State Representative Cindy Ryu has championed a proposal for an affordable housing development on the parcel.

Read more...

Naval Chapel listed on National Register of Historic Places

The chapel sits in a grove of evergreens in the middle of the Fircrest property
Photo by Janet Way

After four years of hard work by Shoreline resident Janet Way, the Naval Chapel located in a small grove of trees in the middle of the Fircrest property, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places maintained by the National Parks.

Interior of the Naval Chapel at Fircrest
Photo by Janet Way

Listing as it appears on the weekly report of the National Parks registry of historic places:

WASHINGTON, KING COUNTY,

Seattle Naval Hospital Chapel,
1902 NE 150th Street,
Shoreline, SG100009645,
LISTED, 12/26/2023

Last fall it was listed on the Washington State Registry of Historic Places (see previous article)

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Fircrest School Master Plan community meeting Wednesday on Zoom

The Navy Chapel and Forest are in the center of this plan

Fircrest Master Plan Community Meeting, Wednesday Night, May 4, 2022, 6-7:30pm

The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. The meeting link is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89237905907

Contact Larry Covey, Capital Projects Manager Department of Social and Health Services at coveylg@dshs.wa.gov if you have any questions.

The master plan as drafted completely surrounds the historic and recently landmarked Navy Chapel and surrounding forest.

The Shoreline Preservation Society, which shepherded the landmark process, in understandably concerned about the future of the Chapel.

So now, DSHS and many other “Stakeholders” are pushing hard to build huge new facilities at Fircrest, and even eventually huge housing developments as well. 

Shiny new facilities may indeed be needed to replace aging medical facilities there, however many in our community want these to be “designed around the trees” to maintain their historic and environmental value they provide for our community and could continue to provide to the disabled residents of Fircrest. 

So, is the Landmarked Chapel and Forest truly protected? The answer still remains to be answered by whatever is finally permitted by the City of Shoreline and Washington State decision makers.

 

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Naval Hospital Chapel Landmark Designation

By Janet Way

It’s official! The Seattle Naval Hospital Chapel has been designated a historic landmark by the Shoreline Landmarks Commission and the King County Historic Preservation Program.

The Shoreline Preservation Society (SPS) received this certificate denoting the official designation.

SPS worked with funding from 4Culture and with historical consultants at Northwest Vernacular, Shoreline Historical Museum, and dozens of other organizations and community members to tell the story of the Chapel and ensure it was properly designated for its unique place in World War II history.

The Chapel was completed on the campus of what is now Fircrest School in 1944, at the Naval Hospital built to treat sailors wounded in the Pacific Theater during the war. 

It is the very first non-denominational, freestanding Naval Hospital Chapel in America. It was built because Captain J.T. Boone, the commander of the base, was inspired by the surrounding forest and believed that patients recovering from their wounds needed a place of respite and beauty to heal. 

The groundbreaking was in June 1943, and it was completed with meticulous local craftsmanship in the neo-Tudor style, with beautiful rustic woodworking and period lighting in the interior.

Naval Hospital Chapel photo by Janet Way

This site is the only remaining example of Shoreline’s contribution to the war effort. And the Chapel is still uniquely inspirational in its wooded setting. The surrounding Forest was also designated a Landmark because of its distinct relationship with the building.

Captain (later Vice Admiral) Boone was also a remarkable part of the story because he was the most decorated medical officer in the history of the U.S. armed services. He received the Medal of Honor for bravery under fire as a doctor during World War I and was awarded numerous other medals, including the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, and Bronze Star. He also served three presidents as their physician.

Shoreline Preservation Society will continue advocating for further designation of the Chapel and Forest on the National Register of Historic Places, for which it is highly eligible.

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Fircrest School public meeting re Master Development Plan

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Fircrest School is hosting an early community input meeting to discuss progress on the Master Development Plan that DSHS is preparing to allow for continued maintenance and redevelopment projects on the campus.

The Master Development Plan is a land use permit with the City of Shoreline that is required prior to the construction of projects on properties zoned as "Campus."

The Master Development Plan process began in later 2018, however, was put on pause due to delays in State Legislature providing direction for the future use of the campus. The planning process was relaunched in late 2021 and this meeting is required by the City of Shoreline to allow the public to learn about the Plan and provide input to DSHS and the City of Shoreline Planning Department.

Fircrest School provides support to about 200 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a residential setting. Its employees take pride in providing excellent care and service to the individuals who reside at Fircrest. 

In order to continue the operations of the campus several facilities need to be upgraded as well as new facilities added.  The nature of these proposed improvements will be discussed in this early community input meeting.

The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. The meeting link is:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84895945893?fbclid=IwAR1b1P9oW-Xo47vibvZ6ELniwJw5ClyjPd4mcb67zymqu-BXoSvgSS0lvUE#success

The meeting is Tuesday, March 8, 2022 from 6-8pm

Staff will be available to answer questions regarding the Master Development Plan process. The public is welcome to attend.

Agenda:

6:00pm  Meeting begins

6:10pm  Presentation

6:40pm  Question and answer session

7:00pm  Small group discussions

7:40pm  Group reconvenes

8:00pm  Meeting adjourns

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On a hill with a northwest forest canopy....

Veterans and volunteers placed flags at the Naval
Chapel on the Fircrest campus. Photo courtesy Shoreline
Preservation Society.

A beautiful little Chapel stands in Tribute to veterans who lived and died in service to their country. 

It was built there to provide comfort and healing to soldiers who experienced the pain of war.

A small group of veterans and supporters placed flags around the Shoreline Naval Hospital Chapel at Fircrest School.

They offered hope that the Landmark status it has achieved would be maintained and strengthened.

Shoreline Preservation Society has filed a legal appeal to oppose the last challenge by DSHS in a Motion for Reconsideration.

If you would like to help, now would be a great time for a donation to support this work.

https://preserveshoreline.wordpress.com/donate/ 

For more information contact Janet Way at 206-734-5545

The Fircrest campus is on 15th NE, south of Hamlin Park.

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Shoreline Naval Hospital Chapel at Fircrest Landmarked by King County Landmarks Commission

Fircrest Chapel
Photo by Janet Way

Thursday night, January 21, 2021 the King County Landmarks Commission decided to Landmark the historic Seattle Naval Hospital Chapel at Fircrest School in Shoreline, WA.

Interior of chapel
Photo by Janet Way

The Commission also took the unusual step to landmark most of the interior of the chapel and approximately three acres of surrounding native forest.

The forest was specified by Base Commander, Captain JT Boone in 1944 as one of his main inspirations to build the chapel. The setting of the Chapel within the beautiful forest makes it quite unique, especially in Shoreline.

Three acres of woods around the chapel were also given 
landmark status. Photo by Steven H. Robinson

 

The building is a lovely but humble “Tudor Revival” style and is distinctive in its brick exterior and custom designed original interior. Captain Boone was actually quite notable as one of the most decorated officers in American History and eventually served three presidents.

The Chapel is extraordinary and notable because it was the very first freestanding, nondenominational Naval Hospital Chapel in America. It was built at the height of the World War II in the Pacific theater.

The nomination was made by a small non-profit, the Shoreline Preservation Society and the research and submission undertaken by historical experts at Northwest Vernacular.

Shoreline Preservation Society Chair, Janet Way said, “We are extremely proud and happy to have this beautiful building and its surrounding forest at Fircrest School protected with this Landmark designation. 

"We hope to host a celebration of this Landmarking later this year and invite the community and the Navy to participate.”

Naval Hospital Chapel, 1902 NE 150th Street Shoreline, WA 98155

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Fircrest Chapel still under consideration as a King County Landmark

There is a continuation of the KC Landmarks Commission process of the nomination to designate the "Seattle Naval Hospital Chapel" (Fircrest School) on January 28, 2021. 

The Chapel was the very first freestanding Naval Hospital Chapel built in the Nation. It was constructed in 1944 and is surrounded by a beautiful native forest which inspired its original construction as a place of peace and quiet contemplation.

Fircrest Chapel
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

We encourage everyone who is interested to please tune in again and testify to reinforce the points we made before. 

Our excellent consultants, Northwest Vernacular, responded in a couple days after the previous hearing with some measurements to better verify the extent of the beautiful surrounding forest we are also nominating for preservation. 

We feel we have a very good chance of getting this landmarked!

KING COUNTY LANDMARKS COMMISSION MEETING

Zoom (Call-in) Conference

January 28, 2021

4:30 p.m. – 6:30 pm

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85129355688?pwd=RXpDcUNhN1Z4TVRrek5LVmp2RkYzZz09

Meeting ID: 851 2935 5688

Passcode: 653869

+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

If you would like to write an additional letter of support, that would be helpful. Send it to Sarah Steen, ssteen@kingcounty.gov

If you would like to speak in support that would also be welcome. If you have questions, you can respond to me here or call.

Janet Way

Shoreline Preservation Society

206-734-5545

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Brick Garden at Fircrest

Bricks from the Brick Garden at Fircrest
Photos by Janet Way

Near the Navy Chapel on the Fircrest campus is a commemorative Brick Garden.

Made to be accessible to people in wheelchairs, the bricks are engraved with notable historical events and the year they occured.

It was designed and created by the University of Washington Public Art Program Spring Quarter 2003 by the Design Build Studio which included students and faculty from the School of Art, College of Arts and Science; and The Department of Architecture and Urban Planning.

It was funded by the Stella Osborne Family.

The Navy Chapel at Fircrest is on the agenda for the Thursday meeting of the Landmarks Commission, nominated for Historical Landmark Status.

Comments on the nomination can be email to ssteen@kingcounty.gov

The meeting can be viewed on zoom.

Thursday, November 19, 2020 4:30pm on Zoom.

Link to Zoom Conference Meeting 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86863840848?pwd=Q1VwNUVpZk5YQlhnbmFBa1IzNFFQUT09
Meeting ID: 868 6384 0848 Passcode: 751667 

Name and location of nominated property:

Naval Hospital Chapel, 1902 NE 150th Street Shoreline, WA 98155

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Mad Tom's berries at Fircrest

Photo by Janet Way

Janet Way found these berries on the Fircrest campus.

 

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Step back in time: Interior of the Seattle Naval Chapel at Fircrest is virtually untouched from the day it was built

Seattle Naval Hospital Chapel at Fircrest

Story and photos 
by Janet Way

Captain J.T Boone (MC) USN was a highly decorated veteran of WW I, and took up the command of the Seattle Naval Hospital (which eventually became Fircrest School in Shoreline.)

It was 1943 and WWII was still raging when the Captain decided that what was needed at the Hospital Base to offer solace and inspiration to the patients, families and staff was a beautiful chapel.

Custom woodwork, original chandeliers,
round stained glass window

So, Captain Boone set out to build one. It turned out to be the very first Naval Hospital Chapel on American soil.

He specifically wanted it to be built up on a hill, set apart in a peaceful grove of pine, cedar, fir and hemlock.

He wanted the chapel to be a non-denominational “church of all creeds” that could provide solace to these wounded soldiers and their caregivers.

Stained glass window, organ pipes,
baptismal font

At the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Chapel, an account by Captain Boone stated in the June 14, 1944 newsletter The Stethoscope,

“The Commanding Officer has wished that the building of a chapel would be the highlight of his administration and he feels confident that his desire will be realized by his auspicious beginning as expressed on the ground-breaking ceremonies at the chapel.”

Now Shoreline Preservation Society has taken up the challenge to protect this humble chapel nestled in the wooded grove overlooking Fircrest School.

Custom built organ

The good news is that it is in particularly good condition.

In fact, most of its beautiful and simple interior is intact, except that the flooring was replaced some years ago because of asbestos.

But all of the other custom crafted woodwork, pews, chandeliers, leaded glass windows, and even a beautiful small pipe organ are original.

And the Fircrest Chapel (officially still named the Seattle Naval Hospital Chapel) is still used regularly for Sunday services, weddings, memorials, and other ceremonies.

Beautiful woodland settings

It is still surrounded by a beautiful dell of healthy native trees and understory, just as Captain Boone wanted.

Along with the beautiful building, interior, and landscaping, as historians we were delighted to view some of the original drawings and drafting work from which it was created.

It is arguably one of the most beautiful buildings in Shoreline.

Custom-made cabinets

SPS is working with historians from NW Vernacular on a nomination process with a grant from 4Culture and expect that to be completed in the next few months.

If anyone reading this article has any knowledge about the Chapel or other historical aspects of the Naval Hospital or persons associated with it, especially from the Navy, we invite you to contact Janet Way through our Facebook Page or website.

Architect's original sketch for the chapel

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