Lc Looks At Another Fixer-Upper Holley-Mason Building May Get Repairs, Serve As School During Work At Lewis And Clark

Students may go from one historic building to another during the Lewis and Clark High School renovation.

Spokane School District 81 officials are considering leasing the Holley-Mason Building, S. 157 Howard, to house LC’s 1,550 students for two years while the school undergoes a face lift.

“I’d say it’s about 98 percent sure we’re going to do it,” said developer Rob Brewster, owner of the Holley-Mason.

While district planning director Ned Hammond stressed the district is still considering other options, he said using the Holley-Mason “really makes sense.

“What we would prefer would be to have students in one location,” said Hammond. “We would absolutely love for this to be the answer.”

The district has considered vacating a street near the school to bring in several portable classrooms, or parcelling students out into nearby buildings. Several neighboring churches have offered use of extra rooms.

Officials also have looked into using the old Bryant School building, a former elementary school at Broadway and Maple that most recently housed district gifted and special education programs.

But the Holley-Mason is just two blocks north of Lewis and Clark.

“The fact that it’s close to the existing building would keep a strong student identity,” said Hammond.

The district would use five of the building’s seven floors, and about 90,000 square feet of space. Students and staff would still use the same parking facilities under Interstate 90.

Issues such as locker space would be solved later, Hammond said.

The $41 million renovation of Lewis and Clark is scheduled to begin next year, meaning students and staff would move elsewhere for the school years of 1999-2000 and 2000-2001.

Of the renovation money, up to $1 million per year is earmarked for temporary quarters during the project, Hammond said.

The renovation will preserve the building’s exterior and its interior terrazzo floors and marble walls. The rest of the building, and the school’s Hart Field locker rooms on 37th and Grand, will be modernized to even out classroom size and upgrade technology.

The project is part of a $74.5 million bond that District 81 voters passed in February.

The district had toyed with the idea of leveling LC for years. Several LC alums campaigned for the bond issue to save the city’s oldest high school building.

The original LC burned in 1910, and was rebuilt two years later.

Holley-Mason is a few years older. Originally built as a warehouse in 1905, it was deeded in 1969 to the city by the Finucane family, former owners of Holley-Mason Hardware Co.

At various times, the building was used by the City Civil Defense Department, the Lilac Blind Foundation and Spokane Food Bank.

The city auctioned the building off for $365,000 to a group of investors in 1980, including local architect Glen Cloninger, who in turn sold it to demolition firm owner Louis Ray.

The building has stood vacant for nearly two decades, withstanding at least three fires started by transients.

Brewster bought it in January for $475,000.

He plans to spend at least $4 million more to make the building viable for a school.

“It’s in need of a lot of repair,” he said, looking around the boarded-up building. “But this building really could be just a great building.”

While the concrete frame is in good shape, the structure would have to be completely rewired and remodeled. For the district to consider it, it will have to be wired for computers, and updated to accommodate handicapped students.

LC would need space to accommodate its 60-plus teaching stations, Hammond said. Music, P.E. and industrial arts classes will remain in the LC field house and an adjoining eastern wing during renovation.

Brewster said he’d like to lease the sixth floor as office space and part of the first floor to be used as a restaurant during LC’s tenure. He hopes to locate tenants to occupy space when LC leaves, eventually filling the building with offices.

Why take the risk?

Brewster was student body president of the LC class of 1988. He admits nostalgia for his alma mater played a big role in his decision.

“It really is ultimately a community service project,” he said. “Doing this is a huge risk to me. I don’t even know if I’ll have tenants when LC leaves.”

Hammond said the district wants a plan in place within the month. It will take at least a year to prepare the Holley-Mason, said Brewster, who is still working on financing the restoration.

LC Principal Mike Howson said he’s keeping his fingers crossed.

“It would be a really great thing,” he said. “It’s two historical buildings kind of giving life to each other.”

Map of area

Public comment The public can review progress and make comments on the Lewis and Clark High School renovation at 9 a.m. every Wednesday in Room 110 at the school.