Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Council outlines pre‑marketing plan and stabilization options for historic North Ward School
Loading...
Summary
The City reviewed two appraisals for the North Ward School (approx. $1.6M and $2.7M), directed staff to pursue a 5–6 month pre‑marketing and outreach campaign for adaptive reuse, and discussed temporary stabilization options including a 'shrink‑wrap' cover versus full roof replacement.
City staff on Dec. 1 presented updated condition assessments, two appraisals and a proposed marketing/disposition strategy for the North Ward School property, which contains three structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Lauren Matzke, community development, said inspection results indicate roofs are near the end of their expected lives but that thermal scans showed ceilings to be dry at the time of inspection. Staff obtained two independent appraisals: one firm valued the property at approximately $1.6 million and a second at approximately $2.7 million. Matzke said staff will review both reports to reconcile the variance.
Staff outlined short‑term preservation options and associated costs. A temporary cover (described in testimony as a heavier, longer‑lasting "shrink‑wrap" rather than a consumer blue tarp) was presented as a stabilization option that could be deployed if leakage worsens; alternatives include full roof replacement. Council members asked about durability and expected life span for a temporary cover versus a new roof and asked staff to return with longevity data and cost comparisons.
Assistant City Manager Battle proposed a pre‑marketing approach: 5–6 months of targeted outreach and "tilling the field" to identify developers and adaptive reuse partners, with the plan to launch a formal solicitation and potentially an RFQ to prequalify developers around May–June 2026. Battle said the city has seen developer interest, including parties interested in artist lofts, adaptive reuse and affordable housing mixes, and that staff would bring a development package back to council for feedback before soliciting proposals.
Council members emphasized preserving the site's historic character while avoiding taxpayer burden and discussed options for structuring public‑private partnerships that preserve city control during redevelopment. The council has up to $200,000 set aside for initial stabilization measures and asked staff for additional information on the expected protective life of temporary coverings and on appraisal methodology before committing to a permanent stabilization approach.
Staff will return with more detail on the temporary stabilization options (cost and expected durability), reconciliation of appraisal differences, and a proposed schedule and solicitation package for the pre‑marketing phase.
