Zenith Property
The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on the permit application to demolish the structures on the property known as Landmark on the Sound is complete.
The City ordered the EIS in response to the permit application submitted by the property owner. The City has invested significant time and resources on the EIS over the past three years.
The purpose of the EIS process, which is prescribed by the state, is to identify likely environmental impacts, reasonable alternatives, and mitigation measures.
The EIS, conducted by an independent environmental consultant, Environmental Science Associates (ESA), initially examined three options:
1. No action (neither demolishing nor preserving the building)
2. Demolition by the property owner
3. Preservation and reuse.
Following the public comment phase, the City ordered a study of an additional option: to fund rehabilitation of the main structure by building multi-family housing on the undeveloped portions of the property.
Summary of Findings
This summary outlines the conclusions in the FEIS for each option evaluated.
Alternatives Evaluated:
No action: The EIS found that leaving the structure in its current state would ultimately result in “demolition by neglect” (eventual loss of historic resources due to natural deterioration and/or vandalism.)
The inside of the building has significantly deteriorated due to forces of nature, neglect and trespassers. It presents a fire and safety hazard. If left to decay further, the City would eventually be forced to require demolition for safety reasons.
Demolition by property owner: The EIS found that demolition would result in a loss of historic resources, trees, and potentially wildlife habitat. Residents would experience temporary environmental and traffic impacts during demolition (estimated at 5-6 months). Mitigation would be required to address these impacts.
The EIS notes that demolition would remove the structures that are a current fire and safety hazard.
Preservation and reuse: This option would protect historic resources but would require funding to mothball the structure (close the facility to protect it for future use or sale.) Residents would experience temporary environmental and traffic impacts during mothballing. These impacts would be less than for a demolition, but would also require mitigation measures.
Additional preservation study: The idea to fund restoration of the main building by constructing multi-family housing elsewhere on the property was found to be not financially feasible. The EIS notes that costs linked to historic preservation are 2-3 times higher than typical multifamily construction, a cost difference for this project of over $160 million. The consultants concluded that preservation and reuse is not feasible even with available preservation incentives and subsidies. The analysis also explored the potential of reusing the structure as a hotel and senior housing. No development scenario was financially feasible.
The economic analysis, conducted by the Leland Group, assumed the development of 280 apartments to offset preservation costs. It calculated that rents would have to dramatically exceed current market rates and that apartment rents would need to dramatically exceed current market rates, making them an estimated 32% higher than upscale apartments in Manhattan, New York City.
For details of this analysis, please see EIS Report, Appendices M, N, O, and P. Zenith Final EIS Appendices July2025
Next Steps
City staff will present the FEIS findings to the City Council at its August 7 meeting.
Action on the demolition permit is anticipated shortly after the Council presentation, on August 8th. Per State law, the City is required to wait at least seven days between the release of an EIS report and the decision on a pending permit. The public has 10 days from the permit decision date to appeal the findings of the FEIS. Appeals must be filed with the City Clerk in writing by August 18, 2025.
A community meeting where residents can ask questions is scheduled for August 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Beach Park auditorium.
Complete FEIS and More Information
• Final EIS
• Draft EIS
• Appendices Part 1 A-D (unchanged from Draft EIS)
• Appendices Part 2 E-K (unchanged from Draft EIS)
• Appendices Part 3 L-P (new in the final EIS)
Hard copies of the Final EIS are available to view at the following locations:
City Hall*
21630 11th Avenue S, Suite D
Des Moines, WA 98198
Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday – Friday.
* Copies can be purchased for the cost of printing.
Des Moines Public Library
21620 11th Avenue S
Des Moines, WA 98198
Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Thursday, and Friday; 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Woodmont Public Library
26809 Pacific Hwy S
Des Moines, WA 98198
Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Thursday, and Friday; 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday (closed Sunday).
Contact
Please submit questions to the City’s SEPA Official at [email protected]
Please click here to sign up for email updates regarding the project.
Accessibility and Accommodations
Please contact the City Clerk at 206-870-6519 or [email protected] for special accommodations, translation, or interpretation.
Zenith Properties ha solicitado un permiso de demolición a la ciudad de Des Moines para las antiguas estructuras de Masonic Home (antes Landmark on the Sound) ubicadas en 23660 Marine View Drive S. Lo invitamos a comentar sobre el proceso de revisión medioambiental. Comuníquese con el secretario municipal al 206-870-6519 o envíe un correo electrónico a [email protected] para recibir adaptaciones especiales y servicios de traducción o interpretación.
Zenith Properties 已向 Des Moines 市申請了針對前共濟會之家 (Masonic Home)（Sound 地區的前地標建築）的拆除許可，該建築位於 23660 Marine View Drive S。誠邀您就環境審查流程給予意見。 請撥打電話 206-870-6519 或傳送電郵至 [email protected] 聯絡市辦事員，獲取便利措施、翻譯或傳譯服務。
Zenith Properties đã nộp đơn xin cấp giấy phép phá dỡ của Thành Phố Des Moines cho công trình Masonic Home cũ (trước đây là Địa Danh trên Eo Biển (Landmark on the Sound)) có địa chỉ tại 23660 Marine View Drive S. Xin mời quý vị góp ý cho quy trình đánh giá tác động môi trường. Xin liên lạc với Lục Sự Thành Phố theo số 206-870-6519 hoặc qua thư điện tử [email protected] nếu cần được hỗ trợ đặc biệt, dịch thuật hoặc thông dịch.