Pullman board reviews plan to offer Aquatic Center site for sale; district must replace federal park land with equivalent recreation land
Loading...
Summary
District staff told the board they will begin the process to offer the Pullman Aquatic Center property for sale and that federal encumbrance rules require the district to provide replacement outdoor recreation land of equivalent value or purpose.
The Pullman Public Schools Board of Directors discussed a plan April 30 to make the 2.3-acre site that contains the Pullman Aquatic Center available for sale.
What the board heard: Justin Polsetta, operations staff, said the district is preparing the property for sale under Board Policy 6882, which governs disposal of real property not necessary for school purposes. He said the district purchased the site in the 1970s and that federal funds used to create Military Hill Park carry an encumbrance requiring replacement of outdoor recreation value if the aquatic property is sold.
Encumbrance and replacement: Polsetta and Superintendent Dr. Robert Kramer explained that because federal funds were used historically to create park amenities, the district cannot simply sell the land and remove the public-recreation function. The district must identify replacement acreage or other land improvements of equivalent public-recreation value and secure approval; the transcript records district staff discussing potential district-owned parcels, including a four-acre area near Kamiak Elementary School, as candidates for conversion.
Why it matters: Selling the aquatic property could shift maintenance and operating responsibility to a buyer while generating proceeds; the district said a buyer (city partner or non-profit developer discussed at earlier meetings) could operate and maintain pool services under a lease-back or use arrangement. The transcript also references a proposal under active discussion: a purchase offer that would leave pool services available to the district while removing the district's operating costs.
Process and timeline: Polsetta said an appraisal is underway to determine exact value; after board approval to begin the sale process under Policy 6882, the district would publish the sale intent and proceed according to the policy and state requirements. The district has up to three years after a final sale to secure replacement recreation land and complete any encumbrance steps.
Next steps: The board did not vote to sell the property at the April 30 meeting; rather, it discussed the steps for public notification and appraisals and asked staff to continue work to identify replacement land and to consult with the state Recreation and Conservation Office as needed.
