A reprieve for Mukilteo’s Rosehill?

MUKILTEO — The aging Rosehill Community Center isn’t a goner yet.

The Mukilteo City Council voted earlier this year to tear down Rosehill and replace it with a new community center on the property.

Now, the council is considering a plan to move the location of the new community center to another part of the property. If that happens, some council members believe that Rosehill should be left standing.

After recently discussing the plan, council members seemed split on what should happen to Rosehill, Mukilteo City Councilwoman Jennifer Gregerson said.

“We didn’t talk too much about what happens to Rosehill, which is definitely the elephant in the room we need to deal with soon,” said Gregerson, who thinks the building should be torn down.

Rosehill Community Center, a former school, was built in 1928 when the original Rosehill school burned down.

At last week’s City Council meeting, the council also discussed wanting a more intimate public plaza connected to the new community center. The current plans call for a larger amphitheater-style plaza on the corner of Third Street and Lincoln Avenue.

Council members also said they want as much undeveloped green space on the property as possible, Gregerson said.

The council asked ARC Architects of Seattle to do more studies on the best spot on the property to build the new community center. The studies will likely cost about $5,000, Gregerson said.

“Sometimes, we just need to see the big picture before we can make a stand,” she said.

Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.

Rosehill timeline

1792: The hill overlooking Point Elliott is named Rose Hill by a member of Capt. George Vancouver’s crew.

1893: Rose Hill School, a Victorian-style wooden building, opens with 29 students.

1928: The school, used by 260 students, burns down on St. Patrick’s Day. A prominent area architect is hired to build a new school at the site. The new Rosehill school is finished by September and opens for use.

1973: The school is shut down over concerns of growing student enrollment.

1977: A group of Mukilteo residents help the city acquire the building.

1978: The building is renovated and reopened as the Rosehill Community Center.