In front of a crowd that generally opposed the idea, city of Lake Oswego officials continued to make their case as to why the Lake Oswego School District should consider collaborating with the city to build a community center at the current Lake Grove Elementary School site.
The Lake Oswego City Council and the Lake Oswego School Board met for a joint meeting Tuesday, May 7 to discuss the idea.
The district is exploring a few options for the elementary school that was built in 1949, including converting it into a community center that would serve as a new public library. City leaders have stated that the current Lake Oswego Public Library on Fourth Street is too small to meet community needs and that collaborating with the district on an existing public property within an urban renewal district would be a cost-effective option and a generational opportunity. The possible center could house both library and parks and recreation services as well as district offices.
The city presented similar information to what it had during a recent meeting in front of local advisory boards. At Tuesday’s meeting, Mayor Joe Buck continued to champion the idea but emphasized that he understood the school board would do what’s best for students and the community.
“We want to let the district know that should it, through its own process, find that repurposing in whole or in part the Lake Grove Elementary School site fits in the best interest of the district, the city would like to engage in a deeper discussion about a community center project, a vision that would maintain many of the features that make the school such an attractive centerpiece of the neighborhood in a way would continue to serve your indirect constituents, the students, as well as residents of all ages,” Buck said.
The school district has eight elementary school properties but only seven elementary schools and has to determine how best to utilize the properties. Currently all eight properties are being used, as Uplands is serving as a swing site while other schools are under construction, but that space could sit vacant in a few years. Lake Grove is considered by the district to be in relatively poor condition compared to its counterparts.
Lake Oswego School Board Chair Brian Bills said the district is fortunate to have a strong relationship with the city, exemplified by the development of the Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatic Center, and reiterated that the district will have to continue its independent process for determining the future of the site.
Those who testified at the meeting opposed the project for reasons such as the displacement of students and removing a school from a relatively walkable area that will have two affordable housing projects nearby, among other reasons. One person posited that better utilizing the Adult Community Center would be a wiser option. Local community members have also created a fundraiser to raise money for yard signs and T-shirts in support of maintaining the school.
The district’s Long Range Facilities Plan Committee is reviewing options for the property and will give a recommendation to the school board May 20 as part of a bond process. Superintendent Jennifer Schiele said at the meeting that the board will take public comment from the community during three meetings in May and June, and that a bond development committee will be formed in late 2024.
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