New life for a Parkland old-timer

New life for a Parkland old-timer

(Pictured: Wooden banisters on upper floors and fir window casings are some of the architectural features of the historic Parkland School building).

Local residents who formed a non-profit organization to raise money to preserve the 116-year-old Parkland School building near Tacoma are nearing a key deadline. Parkland Community Association is buying the building from its current owner, Pacific Lutheran University. A $750,000 deposit was made last year using funds from donors, the state, Pierce County Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission, Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, and National Trust for Historic Preservation. More fund-raising is underway to cover two more payments of $1.05 million, the first one due this April. The association describes its efforts as a race “against time.” The building and its timeless features, such as wooden banisters on upper floors and fir window casings (pictured), was slated for demolition to make way for new development before the citizens’ group got involved. Tax-deductible donations can be made by mail to Parkland Community Association, c/o Julie Collison, P.O. Box 45355, Parkland, WA 98448, or at saveparklandschool.org