Neighbors debate Jefferson Elementary site

More than 100 people signed in at the Comstock Neighborhood Council meeting last Wednesday – and they all had quite a lot to say about one specific agenda point: the site selection for Jefferson Elementary School.

Spokane Public Schools has launched an extensive districtwide remodeling project, as part of which Jefferson can either be remodeled at its current location by the intersection of Grand Boulevard and 37th Avenue, or moved to the west end of Hart Field, by the intersection of 37th Avenue and Manito Boulevard, or moved to the northern part of Hart Field, across the street from Sacajawea Middle School.

A brief story in a newsletter published by Spokane Preservation Advocates was used by some neighbors as “proof” that a decision to move Jefferson to the west site had already been made, but that’s not the case.

“The main reason why I’m on the steering committee of the Jefferson project is to make sure the oldest part of the school, the 1908 building, will not be torn down,” said Joanne Moyer, of Spokane Preservation Advocates. “I was just at a steering committee meeting, and the site has not been selected yet. The story in our newsletter was not intended to indicate any such thing.”

Interestingly, Moyer added, Manito Primary School was located at the intersection of 37th Avenue and Manito Boulevard – the west site – until the early 1950s.

Today, the west site holds tall pine trees and is often used as a parking area when there are soccer games at Hart Field.

At Wednesday’s meeting, architect Craig Conrad tried his best to reassure people that all their comments are welcome and being taken into consideration. One of the first things Conrad said was the oldest part of Jefferson will not be torn down.

“Please remember that these are just site concepts,” Conrad said, reminding people that the school board has the final say. The plan is to have the site selected by June.

Moyer confirmed the steering committee is reading “lots and lots of e-mails and letters from people” and there will be at least two more public meetings before the site is selected.

There were some questions about the specific cost associated with each site, but a cost estimate cannot be completed until the site has been selected.

“We have a budget that will cover the cost of the most expensive option, which would be the east option,” wrote Kristy Mylroie, communications specialist with Spokane Public Schools, in an e-mail. “This budget is $25.1 million. Part of the budget includes student relocation costs to temporary site(s) and some demolition costs which aren’t needed if the west or north options are selected.”

Mylroie added that the Hart Field budget at $2.5 million is separate from the school remodeling budget, yet healthy enough to do all needed improvements including the relocation of the football field and track, if the east site is selected.

“We don’t have a separate cost estimate for each option developed yet,” Mylroie wrote.

At the initiative of the neighborhood council, an informal ballot listing the three sites was handed out at the meeting.

Comstock neighborhood council member Robin Redman said that of 105 people at the meeting, three voted for the west site, one voted for the north site, three remained undecided and 66 voted for remodeling Jefferson in its current location. Not everyone filled out a ballot.

Property owners along Manito Boulevard were especially vocal in opposing the west site, booing and jeering during the initial presentation by architect Conrad.

Many said moving the school to the west site would bring too much traffic into the neighborhood.

City council member Jon Snyder said traffic decisions are up to the city, and reminded neighbors that the intersection at Grand Boulevard and 37th Avenue – where the school is currently located – is very busy.

“Perhaps something should be done about that intersection,” Snyder said.

City Council member Richard Rush reassured neighbors they would be heard.

“You are the people who passed the school bond, you are here, your voice is strong,” Rush said. “Stay engaged – that’s the way to be heard.”