By reporter Steven Smalley
It?s been twelve years since the public has set foot inside Magnolia School ? renamed from the previous Magnolia Elementary moniker. Situated on 28th Avenue, the huge brick edifice has sat boarded up since the African-American Academy moved out in 2004. Monday, in light of the $475.3 million Buildings, Technology and Academics/Athletics IV (BTA IV) Capital Levy currently on the ballot for February 9, a representative of Seattle Public Schools gave the press a walk-through to see inside this once magnificent building.
The structure, built in 1927, was given landmark status by the City of Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board at the request of Seattle Schools, according a to district source. With that designation, most of the structure, to include some interior elements such as doors ? including the front entrance ? will remain when remodeling is completed.
?They?ve identified certain features of the interior they feel are worth preserving, for instance the auditorium,? says Jeanette Imanishi, project manager for Seattle Schools who led the press around the hallways. ?The classrooms as they exist now are to be preserved.?
There will also be an expansion of the existing structure. A gymnasium will be added along with electrical and heating upgrades.
With the passage of the levy, work is expected to begin right away on the $27 million project which will give the Magnolia/Queen Anne area capacity for additional students.
