Published: Monday, September 6, 2010
Closed school in Mountlake Terrace may earn district income
The closed Mountlake Terrace elementary sits on 'prime' real estate
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE -- The site of a shuttered elementary school in Mountlake Terrace is anticipated to become a prime location for commercial development, leading to more jobs and lessening the burden for taxpayers, city officials say.
Crews are slated to demolish Evergreen Elementary School, 6004 237th St. SW, on Sept. 15 to prepare the site for redevelopment. Demolishing the building will cost the Edmonds School District $316,000.
District officials said negotiations aren't under way for the site. Their short-term plans include watching the economy to decide when to market the property for redevelopment under a long-term ground lease.
The district probably isn't going to sell the property but instead would lease it, said Marla Miller, executive director of business and operations.
Shane Hope, Mountlake Terrace community and economic development director, said the site is appealing to developers because it's visible from I-5 and it's near the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center.
"It's a prime piece of property from a commercial point of view," Hope said. "It's the best balance for the community."
District officials hosted an informational meeting last month.
Last year, the Mountlake Terrace City Council approved rezoning the 10.3-acre site as a freeway/tourist zoning district. That opens the door for commercial development including restaurants, retail or office space.
Hope said the city is looking to increase opportunities for jobs and give residents more options so they don't have to rely on the Alderwood mall for shopping and dining.
"(Commercial development) helps diversify the city's tax base and keep the burden off taxpayers," Hope said. "People can shop and eat out without leaving the city. People don't want to drive everywhere all the time."
Miller said demolishing the building now allows crews to tear it down before it deteriorates.
The Edmonds School District will continue to own the property. By state law, revenues generated from leasing or selling the site will be earmarked to the district's capital construction projects to help reduce the cost for taxpayers.
Brian Harding, director of facility operations for the school district, said general and capital funds are separated for a reason. Officials can't rob from the general fund to pay for a building and they can't rob from the capital fund to do something great for education, Harding said.
"The division of the two funds serves to protect education and infrastructure," Harding said.
"It's complex; there are so many regulations and laws but they're there for a reason," said parent and volunteer Andy Simonsen.
The school board approved closing Evergreen along with Woodway Elementary last year, in an effort to save the district $1.4 million per year.
Crews are slated to demolish Evergreen Elementary School, 6004 237th St. SW, on Sept. 15 to prepare the site for redevelopment. Demolishing the building will cost the Edmonds School District $316,000.
District officials said negotiations aren't under way for the site. Their short-term plans include watching the economy to decide when to market the property for redevelopment under a long-term ground lease.
The district probably isn't going to sell the property but instead would lease it, said Marla Miller, executive director of business and operations.
Shane Hope, Mountlake Terrace community and economic development director, said the site is appealing to developers because it's visible from I-5 and it's near the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center.
"It's a prime piece of property from a commercial point of view," Hope said. "It's the best balance for the community."
District officials hosted an informational meeting last month.
Last year, the Mountlake Terrace City Council approved rezoning the 10.3-acre site as a freeway/tourist zoning district. That opens the door for commercial development including restaurants, retail or office space.
Hope said the city is looking to increase opportunities for jobs and give residents more options so they don't have to rely on the Alderwood mall for shopping and dining.
"(Commercial development) helps diversify the city's tax base and keep the burden off taxpayers," Hope said. "People can shop and eat out without leaving the city. People don't want to drive everywhere all the time."
Miller said demolishing the building now allows crews to tear it down before it deteriorates.
The Edmonds School District will continue to own the property. By state law, revenues generated from leasing or selling the site will be earmarked to the district's capital construction projects to help reduce the cost for taxpayers.
Brian Harding, director of facility operations for the school district, said general and capital funds are separated for a reason. Officials can't rob from the general fund to pay for a building and they can't rob from the capital fund to do something great for education, Harding said.
"The division of the two funds serves to protect education and infrastructure," Harding said.
"It's complex; there are so many regulations and laws but they're there for a reason," said parent and volunteer Andy Simonsen.
The school board approved closing Evergreen along with Woodway Elementary last year, in an effort to save the district $1.4 million per year.
Comments
(
