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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Nuns field offers for Holy Names convent property

The Sisters of the Holy Names, also known as the Sisters of the Names of Jesus and Mary, are selling their property in Spokane, which is accessed along Fort George Wright Dr. near Spokane Falls Community College. It sits on sixty-five acres of forested land on the south side of the Spokane River, upstream from the T.J. Meenach Bridge. It has attracted the attention of developers. (Jesse Tinsley)

Before the land featured a nunnery, it had a military fort. And before that, it was likely lived on and frequented by the indigenous population. Through it all, it was just a heavily wooded bend in the Spokane River.

It may remain just that – a curve in the river watched over predominantly by ponderosa pine – if the nuns get their way. But if the city of Spokane’s zoning requirements are followed, this peaceful oxbow could contain the “highest density of dwelling units (and a) high amount of building coverage.”

The Sisters of the Holy Names convent near Spokane Falls Community College quietly went on the market this summer. Though the 65 acres are assessed at nearly $7 million by the county, the convent did not list an asking price for the parcel. Instead, it solicited proposals and bids.

This week, the sisters will select the top three bids for the property, though those won’t be released to the public.

Within the property’s listing documents, the sisters again and again affirmed their “deep appreciation for nature and the environment.” The first of the sisters’ “guiding principles” is to “consider the natural environment.”

However, the land is zoned for high-density residential development. If any structures are built on the land, they must have at least 15 living units per acre. Buildings can be up to 55 feet high.

Craig Soehren, the property’s broker who is with Kiemle & Hagood Company, said the idea to sell the land was motivated by the need to care for the aging sisters, none of whom live on the property any longer.

“They’re hoping to get some resources from the property to take care of the sisters as they age, that’s the real genesis of this sale,” Soehren said.

Soehren said the sisters’ wish to preserve the wooded nature of the property didn’t preclude any changes to the land.

“That’s not to say they wouldn’t allow development to occur,” Soehren said. “They’re not against development.”

Soehren said “multiple offers” have come in for the property, which his company is currently evaluating. A shortlist of the top three proposals is expected to be decided this week, but Soehren said the company will likely keep its deliberations under wraps until the New Year.

The offers may not only be for purchases, Soehren said, but could also be for leasing the land or entering into a joint venture with the convent.

“There’s a whole host of possibilities,” he said.

Soehren would not comment on how much the convent believes the property is worth. He pointed out that if the entire acreage is developed, the minimum number of units would come to nearly 1,000.

“That could indicate a value that’s fairly significant,” he said. “But is that the best use of the property?”

Local bidders have confirmed they made offers on the property, but declined to discuss them on the record.

The wooded property is hemmed in by the river and Spokane Falls Community College. Beginning in 1896, the area was part of the Fort George Wright military installation. The sisters, who have been in the Spokane area since 1888, acquired about 75 acres in 1965. In 1990, they sold 10 acres to Mukogawa Women’s Academy, a Japanese college for girls that still owns the land.

About five acres of the sisters’ remaining property have multistory structures on them, including a chapel, living quarters and art studio. In 1969, a year after the new convent was completed on the land, the American Institute of Architects honored the new structure with a national award. The jury said the design maintained “a happy balance between community and privacy.”

Rick DeLano, director of operations and strategic planning for the convent, said all of the sisters have moved to Brookdale South Hill, an assisted living facility. Two years ago, about 40 sisters lived on the property, and 20 other sisters still called Spokane home.

The most notable nun from the convent is Sister Paula Turnbull, a sculptor best known for creating the Garbage Eating Goat in Riverfront Park. The convent’s land still features many of her scuptures, as well as her studio.

DeLano wouldn’t go into details about the sale, or what the convent hoped to get from it, other than to say it was in the “planning process.”

“We’re conducting studies to try and figure out what the future holds,” DeLano said. “We’re in the planning process, and the planning is looking at all the different options.”