Politics & Government

Public's Chance to Speak on the Future of the Old Woodinville Schoolhouse

Thursday's parks and recreation meeting is the first of three chances the public has to talk about the landmark.

Thursday night is the public’s latest chance to speak on the fate of the Old Woodinville Schoolhouse.  The city’s parks and recreation committee will listen to people’s opinion on what to do with the earthquake damaged 1909 landmark.

A building assessment report presented to the city council in early February revealed renovations to the vacant brick building could run as high as $3.5 million, and upwards of $5 million if a two-story parking structure is built. The city does not have the money to make the needed repairs and is considering whether the building could be rented or leased.

Built on land donated by the Calkins family in 1892, there are land-deed constraints from the Calkins that forbid the use of alcohol on the property. That restriction means no bar, restaurant or wine-tasting business can use part of the building. Descendants of the family will not relinquish the restrictions. A land survey will be necessary to determine exactly which part of the building cannot have alcohol consumption, according to city manager Richard Leahy.

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A brick school was first built on the site in 1909. It has been through many expansions, including a 1936 renovation by the Works Progress Administration. Another wing was added in 1948, leaving the city with the building that stands today, which has a basement and two stories, totaling 18,435 square feet. All that remains from the 1909 building is a wall located on the western side of the building.  Over time the building has served as a public school and was the first city hall from 1993 to 2001. Structural damage from the 2001 Nisqually earthquake forced the city to close the building. 

Thursday’s meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Subsequent meetings on the schoolhouse will be Monday, March 14, at 7 p.m., at the Emergency Preparedness and Public Safety Commission and Wednesday, March 16, at 7 p.m. at the Planning Commission.  

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All meetings are held at City Hall, 17301 133rd Avenue NE.  To learn more about the background of the Old Woodinville School, visit www.ci.woodinville.wa.us/News/OldSchool.asp.


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