There’s new hope for the Saint Edward Seminary building, located in Saint Edward State Park in Kenmore, through a local development firm specializing in saving and rehabilitating historic buildings.
“Daniels Real Estate has over 25-years’ experience restoring some of our region’s most iconic buildings. We believe that the Saint Edward Seminary is an exceptional heritage landmark that needs to be preserved,” said Kevin Daniels of Daniels Real Estate Company.
According to the Daniels Real Estate firm, they plan on taking their experience and renovating the seminary school into a hotel, similar to that which can be found at some national parks.
“Our plan has been modeled after historic lodges in Yellowstone National Park, Rainier National Park and others across our national park system,” Daniels said. “We believe that this plan will not only preserve the building but will ensure its care for generations to come as it becomes an even greater public asset locally, regionally and nationally.”
Many in Kenmore want to see the building saved from being torn down or crumbling on its own.
“I cannot speak for the city of Kenmore, but I know personally I think it is important to try to save that building,” said Kenmore Mayor David Baker. “It is a historical site and people have worked hard to put it on the Historical Registry… I cannot see letting that building crumble.”
Public input
Representatives from Daniels Real Estate will be speaking about their proposal during an open, public meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the Northshore Utility District building.
According to the plan on the Washington State Parks website, Daniels Real Estate will acquire the Seminary School via an exchange for the last non-developable parcel, at 9.77 acres, along the Lake Washington shores and connected to the state park.
“It is one of the last remaining undeveloped shoreline properties on Lake Washington. The habitat value is very high [and] the property would be used for passive recreation such as hiking and boating along the shoreline and represents an increase in available public access to the water, extending the park’s shoreline by 450 feet or so,” said Michael Hankinson, parks planner for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. “It is prime real estate for parks.”
The Letter of Intent from the Daniels firm was only received on Tuesday, Aug. 12. From there, staff members will review the viability of the project.
“Staff have reviewed the concept and evaluated it to answer one question: Does the concept have sufficient merit and detail to be viable?” Hankinson said. “If it is determined to meet our criteria, staff will recommend that the Commission consider the proposal and vote to either grant Daniels Real Estate a one year time extension or to vacate the building.”
If approved, the second phase of the plan sees Daniels Real Estate rehabilitating the seminary building and preserving the building in a manner that coincides with the uses of the state park.
“That the public maintains the use of the park as a park, we cannot forget that that is a park. Whatever happens to [the seminary] that use has to be maintained or enhanced,” Baker said. “We love this park, it’s a huge asset for our community and we need to see the mission of the state park maintained.”
However, four decades of neglected care means that there is a considerable amount of improvement needed to ensure the seminary is ready for guests.
The Daniels Real Estate firm has a track record of restoring older buildings to their former glory, including the rehabilitation of the Sears Building which now houses Starbucks HQ and the restoration of Union Station to serve as Sound Transit’s HQ, among others.
The current proposal isn’t the first time that the Daniels Real Estate firm has attempted to restore the Seminary and believes that it will cost between $30 million and $50 million to bring the building up to current codes.
“Closed for 39-years, the aging seminary building has been in a state of disrepair with repairs estimated in the millions,” Daniels said. “With an experienced team, we have proposed a preservation plan that will breathe life back into the building while respecting the public park setting.”
Even though the costs are high, the potential is promising. In September 2014, the State Parks Commission decreed that if there was no options for rehabilitating the seminary within a year, that parks staff would “formally vacate the building”, leaving it to slowly decay.
With the deadline a month away, and discussion occurring during the Sept. 10 meeting in Spokane, the potential for a plan to save the school keep the degeneration of the seminary school from completely destroying the old building.
According to Hankinson, there’ve been many letters sent into the State Parks and Rec. Department concerning the future of the seminary, from those for and against rehabilitation, and he encourages those who have an opinion to make their voices’ heard.
“Citizens and interested stakeholders have a variety of ways to communicate questions and comments. The public meeting on the 25th will be an opportunity to meet Daniels Real Estate personnel in person to ask questions,” Hankinson said. “Citizens can write the director or commission, or speak with our public relations office. They can go to our planning website and submit comments there as well.”
According to Hankinson, the process is not likely to be a quick one, and a final decision won’t be made without public input. Citizens can write directly to Hankinson at: Michael.Hankinson@parks.wa.gov, or voice their opinions to the planning website, http://j.mp/st-edward.
The public meeting is Aug. 25, starting at 6:30 p.m., and located at the Northshore Utility District, 6830 NE 185th St. in Kenmore.
