Title: An act relating to certain lands in Tacoma used for school and playground purposes.

Brief Description: Recognizing that the use of certain land in Tacoma, for school purposes, is valid and meets the requirements of section 2, chapter 123, Laws of 1907.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water (originally sponsored by Senators Regala, Winsley, Franklin and Fraser).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

• Allows a portion of property dedicated in 1907 by the State of Washington to the City of Tacoma to be used for expansion of public school facilities.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Linville, Chair; Rockefeller, Vice Chair; Schoesler, Ranking Minority Member; Kristiansen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Eickmeyer, Hunt, McDermott, Orcutt, Quall and Sump.

In 1907 the Legislature enacted legislation dedicating certain real property in Pierce County to the City of Tacoma. The 1907 legislation dedicated this property specifically for street, park, and boulevard purposes. The 1907 legislation also specified the dedicated property immediately reverts to the State of Washington if the City of Tacoma uses or allows the property to be used for any purpose other than street, park, or boulevard purposes.

The 1907 statute dedicating certain real property to the City of Tacoma for street, park, and boulevard purposes is amended to authorize for one block of this property the expansion of school facilities as an additional purpose.

Legislative findings recognize the 1907 dedication of real property by the State of Washington to the City of Tacoma for street, park, and boulevard purposes. Legislative findings also recognize that a portion of these dedicated lands are adjacent to Jefferson Elementary School, which includes park and playground uses, and that the renovation plans for the school will result in a small part of the building footprint to be located on the dedicated lands. Legislative findings specify the renovation and uses of the dedicated lands will include public access and recreational use and state that allowing an additional dedicated use of the lands is appropriate.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For: The 1907 land dedication required the land to be used for public recreation and streets. This bill allows a small part of the property to be used for public school expansion, a use which is in the public interest. This land was originally common school trust lands, and the Department of Natural Resources concurs with the intent of this bill.

The Tacoma School District discovered the issue addressed in this bill when it was well into the process of expanding Jefferson Elementary School. Prompt action on this bill will allow the Tacoma School District to proceed with construction this summer.

Testified: Senator Regala, prime sponsor; Doug Sutherland, Department of Natural Resources; and Lorraine Wilson, Tacoma Public Schools.