Prepared by Parkland Community Assn. 8/1/2023

For additional information go to: SAVEPARKLANDSCHOOL.ORG

1.     What’s this about?

In May of 2022 the school was being sold to developers for demolition to build an apartment building. Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) no longer had use for East Campus and was pursuing this option. Citizens of Parkland felt the historic school was sound and worth saving for a community center and approached PLU with a proposal to buy the school to save the historic landmark to serve the community. If this cannot be achieved, the original plan to demolish the building will proceed.

2.     Why does the building cost 2.85 million? Isn’t that too much?

The original purchase price of Parkland School by PLU was 1.7 million. The asking price for the property at 2.85 million is based on current market value of the building and the land.

3.     Why is it such a short time to raise the money? Why is the deadline November 3, 2023?

The Purchase and Sales Agreement determines the deadlines for the purchase. PLU has generously offered to extend the deadline an additional 3 months if the community can raise $1.5 million by November 3, 2023. If, in those 3 months the community can reach 75% of the purchase price, PLU will extend the deadline another 3 months to May 3, 2023.

4.     How did this all get started?

In Parkland, Washington on May 13^th, 2022 Jani Hitchen spoke at the May13th SCC Spring Banquet Luncheon. She informed the participants of the sale and imminent demolition of the building.                   Members of the community heard of an upcoming meeting of the Landmark and Historic Preservation Commission meeting in which developers were requesting the delisting of Parkland School from the historic register. It was made known that Pacific Lutheran University, having no further need for the building, was applying to Pierce County for a demolition permit.

5.     How did the situation change?

At the Landmark and Historic Preservation Commission meeting to determine the fate of Parkland School over 60 members of the community were in attendance. Many testified. The commission voted unanimously to retain Parkland School on the historic register and voted against the proposed demolition.

6.     So how are PLU and the community working together now?

Since August 2022, members of the community have been given an incredible opportunity to buy the property for $2.85 million.

          The TIMELINE:
          PLU halted demolition August 2022,
          Completed the lot line adjustment November 2022
          Signed the Real Estate Purchase and Sales Agreement on March 28, 2023
          Requires the first 50% of the purchase price at $1.5 million on November 3, 2023

7.     What are the plans for the building?

The goal is to save the school to serve the community. The first six months into the project, community volunteers polled residents of Parkland at public meetings, community activities, small group                     sessions, organizations, community events, schools, community service organizations, and received overwhelming feedback that Parkland School should be saved and repurposed as a community             center.

8.     Who’s behind all this?

Parkland School Community Center is a project of the Parkland Community Association. Up until July 1, 2023, this has been a 100% community volunteer effort, financed completely by in kind and cash donations. Our community partners include Pacific Lutheran University, Spanaway Community Association, Franklin Pierce School District, Trinity Lutheran Church, Garfield Street Business Association, Parkland Fireside SafeStreets, Parkland Spanaway Kiwanis, and Parkland Rotary.

We have gratefully received support from Senator Steve Conway, advice and referrals from representative Melanie Morgan, interest from Representative Sharlett Mena and help from Pierce County Councilmembers Jani Hitchen and Marty Campbell.

We have recently hired a professional grant writer and a research and development consultant. We continue to benefit from assistance from the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.

9.     Why is the building worth saving?

Parkland School has served the community for 115 years. It is listed as an Historic Landmark by Pierce County Landmark and Historic Preservation Commission. A complete Condition and Needs Assessment (CNA) was conducted by Historic Architect, Vernon Abelsen in March 2023. He completed a preservation assessment concluding, “Overall, building appears sound, consistent with Nov. 22, 2011 report by PCS Structural Solutions commissioned by Pacific Lutheran University.”

It was named as a most endangered historic building by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation and was awarded their Valerie Sivinski Historic Preservation grant. Parkland School also received a Preservation Planning grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Northwest Vernacular has published a 40-page Historic Preservation Planning document including examples of regional projects like Parkland School Community Center and listing potential grant opportunities.