The seeds of a partnership sprouted last week between the Seattle School District, city officials and Crown Hill neighbors to preserve land that residents say brings the community together.

That was true last Wednesday when more than a hundred adults and children joined a community forum at the former Crown Hill Elementary School. Since the School Board voted last month to surplus, or sell, five of it's excess facilities, including Crown Hill, the community has organized an effort to buy the site.

"To us it's more than open space," said Molly Hanson, president of the Crown Hill Neighborhood Association, one of the key groups leading the charge. "I mean this is our community."

Master tenants of the buildings, many of which have had leases with the district for more than 25 years at a discounted price, have been given one year to come up with a plan to purchase the sites at fair market value.

But Ron English, the district's property manager, said the one-year caveat doesn't mean that money has to exchange hands on deadline day. The district would consider payment installations over several years or other options.

"The School Board and staff at the district hope you succeed and we'll give you as much time as needed to make this a success," said English last week.

While the future of the old school was discussed outside through rain showers and small sun breaks, inside the click-clack of students in a flamenco class could be heard.

Including the master tenant, Small Faces Child Development Center, the Crown Hill building provides space for sports activities, community meetings and ARC School of Ballet and other dance classes. It's a sort of de facto community center that's used daily by hundreds of children and families, residents say.

The panel last week included among others Seattle City Council members Richard Conlin and Jan Drago, a representative from the Mayor Greg Nickels' office and members of the Cascade Land Conservancy.

The Cascade Land Conservancy is working with Small Faces, Crown Hill neighbors and the city on developing a plan for potential acquisition of the site. Cascade has also helped the University Heights group start a purchasing plan for its surplus district facility.

School Board member Sally Soriano reiterated that the board of directors wants to see the land stay in public hands.

"That's our commitment as a board," she said.

A portion of the 3.5-acre property was designated in Seattle's Pro-Parks Levy in 2000 for about $1 million in funding for design, development and construction of Crown Hill Park. Neighborhood plans for the park include a skate spot, an outdoor theater and athletic field updates.

That's also where things could get more complicated. The land under Crown Hill School is zoned residential. But the park site is commercial, which could greatly increase the value of the property.

The district has reported that sale of an individual site could bring in anywhere from $2 million to more than $10 million. Appraisals on all five buildings should be ready in a month or two, English said. Sales are subject to School Board approval and a public hearing.

To Lynn B. Wirta, executive director of Small Faces and building manager of the Crown Hill School, money will likely be the biggest obstacle.

"We want to stay here and the cost of staying here is astronomical, so that's a barrier," said Wirta.

Kent Whitehead of the Cascade Land Conservancy said though finding the dollar amount was an obvious challenge, creating a vision and garnering community support should be foremost. It will take several years to purchase the site, he warned.

"The money follows," Whitehead said. "It's just not as big an issue as people make it. It might take five years - two years would be a miracle... Five is not a surprise."

Council member Conlin suggested the community focus on what resources they have, rather than what they do not.

"The biggest asset you have is that there's so many of you here..." he said. "A committed community can make things happen."

The city has already stepped in and designated $5 million in its general budget to help two other community groups purchase district buildings, the University Heights and Allen sites. Conlin said it wasn't financially feasible for the city to front all the money since it's already struggling to maintain the current system of community centers and parks.

If the Crown Hill group can come to the city with a "concrete" vision to create a "community institution," the city will likely help them as well, said Conlin, who serves on the councils' urban planning and parks committees.

Council member Drago said in recent years the city has earmarked about $1 million per project. The community could also look to King County and the state for additional funds, she said.

David Boyd, president of the local non-profit Groundswell NW, said his group has a "strong interest" in preserving the land for public use, but he's worried about the time constraint.

"A year's not enough time, especially with a fledgling community group here," Boyd said. "I think it's imperative that this community effort be given time to bear fruit."

To learn more, contact the Crown Hill Neighborhood Association at http://www.crownhillneighbors.com/.

Rebekah Schilperoort may be reached at 783.1244 or rebekahs@robinsonnews.com