What's next for Mountain View School? Possibly a community center
CITY OF PORT Townsend officials are considering creating a public development authority to, among other goals, keep the Mountain View Elementary school campus in public control if the school district ever decides to sell the property.
City Manager David Timmons said the City Council is expected to form a committee to explore the possibility of forming a public development authority at its Monday meeting, at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at 540 Water st.
A public development authority also could be used to keep historic buildings such as the Customs House -- which is currently owned by the U.S. Postal Service -- from being sold to private owners, and could be useful in creating affordable housing opportunities, Timmons said.
During last Monday's workshop, the council discussed the idea of creating a public development authority.
"It would have a two-legged structure," Timmons said, "one to protect the historic side, and one to protect the community asset side."
It would allow the city to facilitate transfers of important buildings from one party to another in an effort to keep public assets out of private hands, without owning the property itself, he said.
The Port Townsend School Board has not discussed selling the Mountain View campus. Instead, the district is seeking a lease.
City Manager David Timmons said the City Council is expected to form a committee to explore the possibility of forming a public development authority at its Monday meeting, at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at 540 Water st.
A public development authority also could be used to keep historic buildings such as the Customs House -- which is currently owned by the U.S. Postal Service -- from being sold to private owners, and could be useful in creating affordable housing opportunities, Timmons said.
During last Monday's workshop, the council discussed the idea of creating a public development authority.
"It would have a two-legged structure," Timmons said, "one to protect the historic side, and one to protect the community asset side."
It would allow the city to facilitate transfers of important buildings from one party to another in an effort to keep public assets out of private hands, without owning the property itself, he said.
The Port Townsend School Board has not discussed selling the Mountain View campus. Instead, the district is seeking a lease.
By Erik Hidle
Peninsula Daily News
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PORT TOWNSEND -- What's in store for Mountain View Elementary's campus after it closes on Wednesday?
City Manager David Timmons said he envisions something a lot bigger than a city police station at the site at 1919 Blaine St.
If the city and the school district eventually come to terms on a lease, the location could house a bevy of community services in one central location, Timmons said.
"What we've talked about so far is moving the police to that location," Timmons said.
"But we have a few more ideas than just that."
Next year, the district's fourth- and fifth-grade students, who attended Mountain View, will attend Blue Heron Middle School at 3939 San Juan Ave.
The district will close the school to save money.
Today is the final day for interested parties to contact the school district about leasing the campus at 19th and Walker streets.
Port Townsend School District Superintendent Tom Opstad said he had only one inquiry about the site. That was from the city of Port Townsend.
"Right now, I plan to meet with them next week to talk about it," he said.
Timmons said he has spoken with several other parties about joining the city at the location.
"[East Jefferson Fire-Rescue] is considering it as a spot for their administration office," he said.
"I have talked with Washington State University about the building and possibly moving Team Jefferson there as well."
Other agencies
Other parties Timmons has talked with, or plans to approach, are the State Patrol about locating a field office at the site, the state Department of Licensing about relocating their Port Townsend operations, the Port Townsend Farmers Market about creating a community garden there and the YMCA about continuing and possibly expanding its use of the facility.
Timmons also said the city would keep the pool open.
"We would possibly upgrade the energy systems on the pool and the entire building," he said.
"We also want to renovate the playground and people are talking about the possibility of restoring the baseball field at the site."
"Hopefully it could become one, big community service center.
"The goal is to keep it in use for the public."
The city has long been interested in relocating the police station to the campus.
Renovation of the Cotton Building at 607 Water St., where the department is currently housed, is scheduled to begin in the fall. It will reopen as a visitor's annex sometime in 2010.
But nothing is set in stone yet.
Decision in summer
Both Timmons and Opstad expect a decision this summer.
However, long term plans for the facility are still a bit hazy.
The district hopes to lease the location for three to five years. Beyond that, a plan is being constructed for the district's facilities.
The school district is looking at decreasing enrollment and the likelihood of needing fewer facilities. Furthermore, the facilities they do have are becoming dilapidated and require heavy maintenance or full replacement.
Opstad said the conversation on budgets and facilities will continue throughout the year as final enrollment figures are determined.
No discussions to outright sell the Mountain View campus have taken place.
________
Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last modified: June 11. 2009 11:32PM