If commissioners approve the concept, the port will send its request to the U.S. Department of Transportation's maritime division for review, as required by law. Under a new law enacted last year, port districts are allowed access to the title or use of federal property that has been declared surplus. Once DOE declared the 3000 Area excess, it was handed over to the General Services Administration. In September, the GSA asked the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to determine whether the 3000 Area was suitable for services for the homeless.
Federal law gives homeless providers first priority for federal surplus property.
HUD responded in October that the complex was suitable for homeless services, allowing the GSA to notify all homeless providers of the available property. If an agency responds and meets the criteria, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services could recommend to GSA the property be transferred. However, the property has been zoned industrial, making it less likely to be used for services for the homeless. Meanwhile, the GSA also will declare the 3000 Area surplus, meaning the property is officially no longer needed for federal government use. The GSA has been notified the Yakama Indian Nation also is interested in the 3000 Area.