BY PEPPER FISHER
PORT ANGELES — The nearly 1-acre grassy area in front of the historic Lincoln School building was just listed for sale at an asking price of $600,000.
The North Olympic History Center (NOHC) announced Wednesday the northern portion of its campus at Eighth and C Streets in Port Angeles for sale as the .91-acre parcel moves toward commercial rezoning, making it suitable for mixed use development.
The NOHC plans to use proceeds from the sale to remove the Lincoln School building. A news release Wednesday says, despite investing a more than half a million dollars in stabilizing efforts since acquiring the building in 1991 — including a new roof, internal structure reinforcements, and a new concrete floor — the NOHC has been unable to stop the continuing deterioration of the 107-year-old unreinforced masonry building.
NOHC Executive Director David Brownell says the condition of the building is like a ticking clock, and the earlier they move on this sale and demolition, the better.
“The biggest factor is, honestly, just the physical condition of the school building itself. But for us, it’s a matter of thinking ahead and wanting to be proactive about the situation, and not end up in a situation where we’re pinned the corner and don’t really have any choices left. So, you know, we’ll see how it rolls out. But we’re feeling like it’s important for us to move forward as an organization and get this resolved.”
As for the sale of the street front property, Brownell is hopeful that the incentives being offered by the City to encourage affordable housing will draw interest from developers who recognize the potential of their location.
“It’s a great corner, you know. 8th and C Street. There’s bus stops on both corners of the property. It’s right on the main thoroughfare. So we’re hoping we can find a developer who will do either housing or mixed-use, you know, some sort of retail commercial space on the first floor with housing above that. And we’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback, especially from people who live here in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood, you know, within a few blocks of our campus. There’s been a lot of interest and excitement in seeing something new go up on this corner.”
For more information or a tour of the property, please contact Bill Leland at (360) 582-6417 or bill@brodybroker.com.
(Photo outlines area for sale)