Sell Osborne land to the city

Last evening I attended a Leavenworth School Board meeting open to the public. The purpose of this portion of the meeting was for the School District to hear from the local residents about the future of the now-empty Osborn Elementary School property in town. They are in the first steps of making a decision. This one being: “Should the School District keep the land or sell it to the City of Leavenworth?” This was not about “What should be done with the land itself.” That step will come later.

There was a substantial public attendance, each person given three minutes to state their name, home location and thoughts about the “keeping or selling” idea. After our experience with the Adventure Park, there is great concern about a repeat disaster to our quality of life here.

But in 2015 as part of the Comprehensive Program for Capital Improvements for the Bond Election a frequently asked question and official response was this one:

“Question #8: What will happen to the old Osborn site?

Osborn Elementary will house its current students until the new Osborn is completed on the Pine St. property. Once completed, the students will move into the new school. Students and staff of Peshastin Dryden Elementary will then move into the old Osborn full year while PD is being modernized on its current site. When the students and staff move back to PD, the district will sell the old Osborn property to help pay off the new bonds.

It is the desire of the school district to see the property remain a green space in residential Leavenworth and a place for children to play. The city has expressed an initial interest in the undeveloped land but not the school building.” 

Obviously, the school district has kept to its original promise. Everybody shuffled around for that year and resettled.  Now they need to remember the second part and sell the land to the City.

I was encouraged by what our new Leavenworth Mayor Carl Florea stated; that this time, before any decisions are made, the City Council will take into consideration the hopes and needs of the people who live within the city limits, equally with those in the immediate surrounding areas, who are unable to vote as city residents.

There are ways to make this work better for all of us who love this little town and live here full time, not just as ‘vacation’ or rental sites.’ It is our responsibility to stay involved and support the people who represent us. Stay informed and don't be afraid to speak up; there are good people on the School Board and City Council who are listening.

Sincerely 

Claudia Elliott

Leavenworth