Demolition permits filed for main Gault building prior to final search for developer
Tacoma Public Schools filed a permit with the city of Tacoma this month for demolition of the main brick building of Gault Middle School, a blighted building that’s been the headache of nearby neighbors for more than a decade.
Even though permits are on file, demolishing the building is Plan B. The district still hopes to find a buyer who has the ability to redevelop the site and is interested in doing so.
The district is making one final effort to find a taker with a solicitation for proposals from potential buyers and developers in early 2022.
If the effort fails, the district will pursue demolition of the building, which was built in the 1920s.
“We want to make sure something positive happens on the site — one way or the other,” director of strategic planning Alicia Lawver said in a district update Wednesday night. Lawver is leading the district’s effort.
Demolition permits for the structures surrounding the main building were filed by the school district earlier this year are awaiting approval by the city — “expected soon,” according to the district. Once approved, the district will seek bids for a contractor to begin demolition of the outer buildings. The hope is to start demolition by the end of the year.
As for the main building, the district and the city hosted an informational session in October for area developers to spark interest in the property.
Tacoma Public Schools board director Lisa Keating said at a meeting Wednesday that the event was well attended.
“I think we’re close to a resolution and moving forward, and I’m hopeful that we’re going to be able to find a solution that is really advantageous for everyone, and especially those that are living around Gault,” Keating said.
Now, the district and City of Tacoma are compiling background documents on the building, its condition, and possible allowable uses to be a part of the 2022 solicitation for developers.
If the district fails to find a buyer and moves forward with the demolition process, it’s likely the request will have to go through the city’s landmark commission first to decide whether or not the building holds any significant historic value. That process would require public comment.
None of the Gault structures are currently historically designated, but a historic assessment report by Artifacts Consulting commissioned by the district in March suggests the main brick building could be eligible for historic designation.
The property was last appraised earlier this year, totaling $1.05 million for the parcel with the Gault building in addition to $661,000 for the adjacent field.
Gault officially closed at the end of the 2008-2009 school year as part of a school merger to form First Creek Middle School, and has since sat mostly sat vacant.
Neighbors have been asking Tacoma Public Schools to do something with the property, which has had police, fire and homeless outreach crews called there repeatedly over the years.
This story was originally published November 12, 2021 at 12:00 PM.
