Plans to level historic Japanese Language School announced
July 9, 2003
UW Tacoma's historic Japanese Language School, a remnant of Tacoma's Japan Town of World War II, will likely be taken down in late fall after being declared a safety hazard by the City of Tacoma.
"We are about saving buildings, not knocking them down," said Sandy Boyle, UW Tacoma vice chancellor for finance and administration. "This is a difficult situation for us."
A study by BOLA Architects of Seattle concluded that the building could be reconstructed for an estimated $3 million, but the end product would lack historical integrity.
According to the study, the roof, walls and floors of the wooden building have rotted to a point that rebuilding the school does not look like feasible. BOLA has recommended that the site, located on the 1700 block of Tacoma Avenue South, be used for a commemorative garden.
"We have spoken with several leaders in the local Japanese community and have found support for removing the building and commemorating it with a memorial garden," said Boyle.
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