If you look at the Pro Parks Levy sign on the fence near 13th and Holman Rd, it sounds like there would be a park in place by Fall of 2006 using the park plans our community members participated in creating. The sticking point is actually written on the sign: “Because this property belongs to the Seattle Public Schools, a lease with Seattle Parks and Recreation is being negotiated.” It turns out the city was unwilling to expend the money unless a long term lease could be negotiated with the school district.

Crown Hill Neighborhood Association held a public forum (2007) in which Councillors Richard Conlin, Jan Drago, the School District’s representative Ron English, a representative from the Mayor’s Office, and over ninety community members participated. At that point the overwhelming community sentiment was to develop the park as quickly as possible.

Soon after that meeting, the School District decided to sell the property and four others it owns which had not been used as schools in many years. All five of the sites were to one extent or another in community/non-profit usage. This represented an opportunity for Small Faces and the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation to acquire the property. Negotiating the purchase price with the School District for the buildings and land was a long ordeal with multiple appraisals, a study to see if there would be enough revenue to support the costs of operating the building. Eventually the city agreed to purchase the land for the park and Small Faces / Crown Hill Project would purchase the buildings and a small buffer around the buildings. However the $1.05 million dollars allocated from the Pro Parks Levy was “to plan, design and construct improvements.”

In the Fall 2008 election, city voters passed the Parks and Green Spaces Levy, which included additional funding that could be used to develop the Crown Hill Park site (the original funding from the first levy could now be used as part of the money to acquire the property). At this point everyone thought that finally the last roadblock to the establishment of the park was finally lifted. Howver an individual filed suit against the Seattle Public Schools to prevent them from selling any properties. That lawsuit was dismissed in King County Superior Court on January 23rd, 2009. The judge actually signed the paperwork on February 11th which then gave the plaintiff thirty days to file an appeal. The appeal was filed in the case.

Other properties, such as the Allen School Site (Phinney Center) have closed in spite of the lawsuit. So there is a precedent for moving forward. The Crown Hill Project will be moving forward with the purchase in spite of the appeal.

Since so much time has passed, the previously developed plans will be reviewed by Seattle Parks and Recreation, and public input will be solicited again as well before the ceremonial shovel breaks ground.

Another factor which may add a couple of years to the fully realized park is the remodel of Fire Station 35. An agreement was reached whereby a temporary tent style garage would be used to house the fire engines on the Southern most tip of the park property adjacent to 14th Ave. We have been told that the Parks Department would probably be able to proceed with portions of the park development even while the fire department is on the site.

More will be known soon, and we will keep you posted when that happens. The Crown Hill Neighborhood Association plans for their general meeting on May 9th to have all the involved parties: Parks, Small Faces, the Fire Department and other parties. At this meeting, there will be opportunity to ask questions about timelines for park development and other questions about the site.