This 1929 Pierce County building could be demolished to make room for energy storage
If you drive along East Valley Highway East, you might see some demolition work in the Dieringer area come next year.
Dieringer School, LLC, applied Nov. 16 to demolish a building at 1808 E. Valley Highway E. It is the old Dieringer school gym, according to the city of Sumner’s website.
City spokesperson Carmen Palmer told The News Tribune that the building is privately owned. The city does not own it.
Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer’s Office records list Dieringer School, LLC as the owner of the property. That LLC is affiliated with a family business called Petersen Brothers, Inc., according to Robyn Honeysett, a representative of the company who submitted the application to the city.
Those interested in providing comments about the proposal can contact chrissandaw@sumnerwa.gov or 253-299-5528. Written comments can also be mailed to Chrissanda Walker of the Development Services Department at 1104 Maple St., Sumner, WA 98390. Comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2.
The plan is to convert a portion of the property into a battery power storage yard, according to the developer’s permit application materials submitted to the city.
Honeysett told The News Tribune that BrightNight, an energy supplier, asked if they could lease the land to build a battery power storage yard for Puget Sound Energy.
Demolition and construction work could start in January.
Palmer told The News Tribune: “There is no set timeline. As with processing all permits, we balance working efficiently with working thoroughly. Ryan Windish is our SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) official, so he would be making the decision.”
The site is currently used as storage and parking space, according to the application materials. Honeysett said the condition of the existing gym isn’t safe.
The building is 8,221 square feet. In 1997 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
