Local and state representatives gathered at the historic Camp Long Lodge on August 12, 2026, for an in-depth tour of the fire-damaged facility. Led by Andy Sheffer, Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Deputy Superintendent of Planning and Capital Development, the group inspected the building's current conditions, discussed the urgent need for $700,000 in state design funding, and reviewed the long-term vision to "build back better" following a devastating November 2024 arson fire.

The tour brought together a key coalition of city and state policymakers. Among those in attendance were Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1), State Senator Emily Alvarado, and State Represntative Joe Fitzgibbon.

The Destruction and Immediate Stabilization

The tour provided a sobering look at the aftermath of the November 2024 arson fire, which severely damaged the 5,300-square-foot cobblestone lodge built in 1925. While the interior still carries the heavy scent of smoke and visible smoke damage, the structural integrity of the historic lodge has been preserved thanks to swift emergency intervention.

"Our first step... was the stabilization immediately after the arson," Sheffer explained, noting that the fire occurred during the rainy autumn season. "We wanted to secure the structure from the elements. It occurred in November... during the rain. So... immediately obviously we tarped it. Mold is one of our greatest... has the greatest impact. Everything else can be abated, but mold is really tough. So we covered it".

Seattle Parks and Recreation quickly secured a permit for structural enhancements to stabilize the roof, which was then resurfaced inexpensively. This immediate work was funded through a combination of insurance proceeds and dedicated capital funds redirected from the department’s asset management plan.

A $700,000 Bridge to Full Design

While the immediate stabilization is complete, the project has reached a critical funding juncture. The department is currently using insurance proceeds to move forward with the initial stages of design, having already issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to hire a design consultant. However, the current funds will run out after reaching approximately 30% of the design phase.

To bridge the gap, the City of Seattle is making a $700,000 Local Community Projects (LCP) request to the Washington State Legislature for the upcoming session.

"What we're looking for for next session is to get us to that 100% design which really lifts off the project," a city legislative official on the tour explained. "That gap we're looking at is about 700,000. So that would be the LCP request for next session from the state. That would really help us move this project along... and put parks and the city at a much better place for leveraging capital dollars".

Securing the full design funding is crucial because it unlocks alternative construction methods. "If you [are] fully funded for design, then you can engage in a GCCM [General Contractor/Construction Manager] alternative delivery method execution, which this project is perfect for," Sheffer noted. This method would allow the city to bring a specialized historic preservation contractor on board early in the design process to assist with budgeting and avoid costly surprises.

The Roadmap to "Build Back Better"

A pre-design study completed earlier this year estimated that rebuilding the lodge exactly as it was would cost $10.26 million in 2026 dollars. However, Sheffer warned that with a 4.6% annual cost escalation, that baseline figure will be significantly higher by the time construction begins. Furthermore, community and city leaders are pushing for a more ambitious restoration.

"That number is rebuild exactly the way it is now and I think there's going to be a lot of push to... electrify, modernize, [and] better serve the program," Sheffer said, adding that "10 million's low" once modern enhancements are included.

Adopting Councilmember Saka's phrase to "build back better", the proposed scope of the renovation includes:

• Historic Restoration: Preserving the original 1925 lodge’s iconic cobblestone masonry, heavy timber, and historic architectural character while rebuilding fire-damaged elements.
• Modernization & Sustainability: Replacing all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems with energy-efficient, all-electric upgrades. The project will explore sustainability goals like solar power and water reuse.
• Accessibility Upgrades: Upgrading the site and installing an elevator unit to achieve full Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.
• Programming Support: Reconfiguring the highly utilized bottom-floor kitchen and multi-purpose space, which supports outdoor classrooms, summer camps, and community events on the great lawn.

To fund the multi-million-dollar construction, Seattle Parks and Recreation plans to cobble together a patchwork of sources. The lodge is a candidate project for the next Metropolitan Park District (MPD) funding renewal in 2028 or 2029. The city will also pursue historic preservation grants, state and county agency grants (such as RCO and King County), and private philanthropic donations raised through the Seattle Parks Foundation.

Honoring the Legacy of Sheila Brown

During the tour, Sheffer paid emotional tribute to the late Sheila Brown, a longtime West Seattle resident and dedicated Seattle Parks employee who passed away unexpectedly a few years ago. Sheffer credited Brown with being the driving force behind the modern Camp Long environmental campus.

"Sheila Brown has been a lifetime advocate of not only the lodge—she worked out of the lodge—but of the entire environmental campus, as she called it, including the ropes challenge course," Sheffer shared. He recalled her relentless dedication to preserving the site's history: "A lot of the preservation to date was her bird dogging every single repair. She would call me, she would not hesitate to call me directly and say, 'We've got to get this fixed.' And she got things done".

Sheffer noted that Brown was instrumental in transitioning Camp Long from a closed, fenced camp into a vibrant public park in 1984. "She really elevated what this is for the public to utilize as a park," he said.

The Road Ahead

Seattle Parks and Recreation is moving forward with the design process, with public engagement sessions slated to begin in early 2027.

According to the project's draft timeline, project planning will continue through mid-2027. The design and community engagement phase will span from mid-2027 through mid-2030. If the necessary capital funding is secured, construction is projected to begin in the middle of the 2029–2030 timeframe, with the rebuilt lodge opening by the end of 2031.