Leavenworth staff say Osborne School abatement will start after cultural review; $2M grants still pending

Leavenworth City Council members heard a status update April 22 on the long‑planned Osborne School property redevelopment, as staff outlined remaining regulatory and funding steps before any demolition or reuse work can begin.

City staff said asbestos abatement work is planned for this year, but that because the project would use federal funds staff must first complete a cultural resources assessment and a historic property inventory form and allow a 30‑day tribal review. "I have to hire an archeological historian to complete a historic property inventory form, before we could go out to bid for the asbestos removal," the staff presenter said.

The council heard that the city sought $2 million in state library improvement funding this cycle but was not awarded that grant. Staff has submitted a congressional directed spending request and separately asked to repurpose roughly $942,000 previously awarded by HUD for another project; staff said they have not yet received HUD’s response to a technical correction application.

Why this matters: council members and residents who spoke at the meeting have raised hopes that removal of the building could create more green space and ball fields that citizens in the Leatherwood area requested. Staff cautioned that the city lacks a cost estimate for full demolition and site conversion until design and funding are secured.

Council and staff reviewed the preferred earlier concept — partial demolition to retain a renovated library wing and convert other spaces to community use — and said that prior work completed for the city included a ‘‘fatal‑flaws’’ analysis by ARC Architects finished in April 2024 and earlier design steps. Staff said the council previously provided direction to pursue a partial demolition and relocate the library rather than expanding City Hall, and that was the basis for pursuing grants.

Council members pressed staff for a clear timeline and a checklist of next steps. Staff reiterated the near‑term actions: hire an archeological historian to complete the inventory form, send the resulting assessment for tribal review (30 days), then submit permit materials for asbestos abatement. That sequence must be completed before bids may be issued for removal work, staff said.

Public comments at the meeting emphasized both support for more green space and concern that funding remains uncertain. Staff said the overall project likely will take multiple years to reach construction and that how much of the building is removed will depend on the funding package assembled.

The council did not take a final policy vote on demolition or reuse at the April 22 meeting; the item remains on the city project tracker pending funding and permitting outcomes.

Details noted by staff: the city applied for a $2 million library improvement grant through the state commerce agency and was not selected this cycle; the city is exploring federal earmark and HUD repurposing avenues; use of federal funds triggers the cultural resources/historic inventory steps and the tribal review period.