Council approves historic‑preservation MOU and Head Start lease addendum for MLK Community Center renovation

PASCO, Wash. — The Pasco City Council on Feb. 18 approved two related items for the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center renovation: a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation and an addendum to the Head Start lease that relocates Benton‑Franklin Head Start to the Kurtzman Building while renovations proceed.

The council approved the MOU (Resolution No. 4568) by a 6–1 vote. The MOU is part of the historic and cultural review required by the state for projects receiving certain state funding. City staff said the review found that some renovation approaches could hinder the center’s historic eligibility, and the MOU identifies mitigation measures designed to preserve the building’s historical record and character. Planning staff summarized recommended measures: retain and incorporate the existing mural as a visual focal point, name rooms to honor community advocates who led construction of the original building, and provide an accessible timeline on site to tell the center’s community history. Staff said the measures will be implemented in successive renovation phases — with room naming likely feasible in earlier phases and mural/display measures in later, more public phases.

Nut graf: The MOU serves to reduce the risk that the renovation would jeopardize the center’s historical status; complying with the MOU opens a path for the city to proceed with renovation while acknowledging the building’s cultural and historical significance.

City staff noted the MOU requires review by the state for specific design elements. "This memorandum of understanding is part of our historical and cultural review performed by that department... one way to mitigate that risk is by complying with the statements that are included in that MOU," the project presenter said.

Council also approved Resolution No. 4569 to execute Addendum No. 3 to the MLK Community Center lease, allowing Benton‑Franklin Head Start to operate out of the Kurtzman Building during renovation. Staff reported the city consulted market data to set a current monthly lease rate for the Kurtzman site; the addendum continues until the MLK renovation creates a usable operating space, at which point both parties will negotiate a new long‑term lease.

The MOU passed 6–1 with Councilmember Arpster voting against the agreement; Arpster expressed concern during the meeting about state review provisions and repeated review rights referenced in the MOU. The Head Start lease addendum passed unanimously.

Ending: Staff said the MOU imposes no major immediate capital cost and will be implemented across renovation phases. The city will continue design work with the preservation conditions in mind and will return with construction and lease details as the project advances.