Funds Sought to Renovate/Re-Open Magnolia School on 28th Avenue West
Historical pic circa 1960 via Seattle Schools
On February 5th, 2015, members of the Seattle delegation sent a letter requesting that the Washington State Senate Capital Budget Committee set aside $33 million in the Seattle Public Schools Capital Budget "to meet urgent capacity and safety upgrade needs" and "to meet Seattle schools' severe overcrowding problem". Noting projected enrollment forecasts averaging a growth of 1,000 students per annum, they pointed out that the Seattle School District could have an enrollment of "approximately 60,000 students by the year 2020 ".
The request identifies three projects that the funds would be used towards including the backlog of repairs at Seattle middle schools, a retrofit (the E.C. Hughes project in West Seattle), and renovations for Magnolia School on 28th Avenue West.
"The Magnolia School renovations will utlize a space the Seattle School District already owns, and provide space for 400 students. Upon completion, this space will have the flexibility to be used as an attendance area school or another K-12 program."
Currently, Magnolia School sits empty, with occasional squatters having been evicted by Seattle Police. The lower field, a former playground for Magnolia School, was transformed into the spectacular Ella Bailey Park in 2007.
This post will be updated as more information becomes available.
The full letter can be read here: Capital Funds Request Letter
