Executive Director of the Phinney Neighborhood Association Ed Medeiros (left) was presented with a check from the state for $650,000 by Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, Majken Rherd, Chief of Staff to Frank Chopp and Speaker of the State House of Representatives, Frank Chopp. The money goes toward the purchase of the Allen School properties by the Phinney Neighborhood Association.
The Phinney Neighborhood Association can now say they are the proud owners of the former John B. Allen School, after they received a check of $650,000 from the state.
The two buildings that make up the school were deemed surplus last year by former owner the Seattle School District. Phinney has been leasing the old school for the past 27 years.
The state check was part of a $4.3 million dollar appropriation in 2008 to help with the purchase and improvement of community schools.
“We closed the final closing on the purchase of the school on Feb. 27 but the check was moved into escrow on the 25th of February,” executive director of the Phinney Association Ed Medeiros said.
Speaker of the house, Frank Chop and Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson handed over the check to the Phinney Association during a small ceremony.
“We’re excited to know that we finally have closed” Medeiros said. “And of course we also got the balance amount from the city of Seattle and we own the building free and clear.”
The full council unanimously approved $2.5 million to go toward helping Phinney purchase and renovate the two buildings last October.
The Phinney Neighobrhood Association has agreed to keep the Allen School a community building, meeting and event space for the next 15 years as part of the purchase agreement with the city, a caveat in exchange for the funds.
