The idea is intriguing, one that seems both bold and innovative. Yet, before plans are finalized for Vancouver Public Schools to build a downtown elementary school, several questions must be addressed.
District officials on Tuesday announced plans to build a school for kindergarten through fifth grade on an open lot immediately south of Vancouver Community Library. A downtown elementary school was part of the $458 million bond approved by voters last year, but no specifics had been determined.
That changed last week, when administrators announced a proposal for a building along C Street, between East Eighth Street and Evergreen Boulevard. The idea is to develop a magnet school focusing upon arts and innovation similar to Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, which serves grades 6-12.
As mentioned, the idea is intriguing. The school nearest downtown is Hough Elementary at Northwest 19th and Daniels streets, and Chad Eiken, the city’s community and economic development director, said: “I think it’s a real encouraging sign that our residential population continues to grow downtown. Now there’s a growing need to provide a school for the kids living down here.”
For a magnet school, however, the neighborhood population is irrelevant; it would draw students from throughout the district. But there is much to be said for a school that brings students and parents to downtown, lending vitality to an area that is increasingly bustling. There also is much to be said for the learning opportunities provided by close proximity to downtown and to the region’s largest library.
Yet, there are some nagging doubts about the proposal. Some of them involve the 2.8-acre parcel of land, which is owned by Killian Pacific. District officials reached a preliminary agreement for the school to be built as part of a larger project — likely including a public parking garage and private development on what is a fairly small space. A parking garage that serves the library is essential, regardless of what becomes of the space as a whole.
Meanwhile, there are concerns about the air quality and the noise that comes with placing an elementary school right next to Interstate 5, but that has not been an issue at Discovery Middle School.
Another concern involves an increase to traffic in the downtown core. The proposed location has limited access, with C Street being the only adjacent through street. We would expect improved access to West Reserve Street, which runs between the site and Interstate 5, will be part of any final proposal.
Finally, there is the impact upon Hough, Harney and Washington elementary schools — those nearest downtown. While a magnet school will draw students from throughout the district, common sense dictates that it will be most attractive to families in close proximity. Will students at the new school be selected solely on merit, or will geography play a role? And will boundaries for other schools be redrawn?
All of this remains to be seen, but for now the idea of a downtown school is promising for students and parents. Even local businesses could benefit from a wisely managed traffic increase in the area.
Not all that long ago, schools could commonly be found in the heart of American cities. That changed when commercial interests dictated that the land was more valuable for other uses and our car culture moved populations toward suburbs. Cities now are reinventing themselves as a mix of residential, commercial and educational opportunities. Vancouver Public Schools officials are wise to consider the possibilities that come with that.
