Villa 21-acre Vacant Parcel Going On The Market

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information regarding the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus intending to place the land adjoining Villa Academy for sale.

February 11, 2022

Dear Members of the Villa Family and Community,

Parents at Villa Academy play an integral role in our community. Villa Academy is a special place, where students thrive in a compassionate atmosphere, inspiring confidence and lifelong enthusiasm for learning. This could not be achieved without the dedication and commitment of our parents and families. Our goal is to keep you connected to the current goings-on at our school, to ensure our community remains connected, on and off-campus.

Yesterday we learned that the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus intend to place the land adjoining Villa Academy for sale. Their reasoning for the sale is to generate support for at-risk women, children, refugees and immigrants. While we were initially disheartened to hear the news, we understand their decision and the critical missions this funding will provide and our relationship rooted in shared values will remain unchanged through this process.

We are sharing this with you in the spirit of transparency and belief that you, as alumni, family and friends of Villa Academy, are stakeholders in this process. We are in the beginning phases of a years-long process, but the importance of our community and the commitment to educational excellence we share with you is unwavering.

The potential sale will raise new questions for many in our community. We want to be clear: the education experience at Villa is not changing, now or ever. We also want to note that our lease to use the land will remain through 2025. There will be no immediate changes. Here are the facts to understand today:

  *   In 1977, a group of dedicated and visionary parents incorporated Villa Academy as an independent, Catholic school and entered into a lease agreement with the Sisters to use the school buildings and outdoor grounds.

  *   In 2007, Villa Academy purchased, and to this day maintains direct ownership of, the land on which all our core facilities are located, including the Preschool and K-8 school buildings, gymnasium, multipurpose field, playground and west lawn. This land is not included in the planned sale or impacted in any way, nor is the integrity of our core educational programs.

  *   We continued to lease the 21 acres of ancillary land below the multipurpose field and gymnasium, which includes the outdoor learning pavilion, trails, and waterfront areas. Villa Academy’s lease on this land will remain in place through August 2025, regardless of any change of ownership.

  *   Once sold, permitting and development of the property will likely still take many more years.

There will be virtual Zoom sessions hosted by the Sisters to discuss future land use from 5:00-6:00 p.m. on March 1st and 6:00-7:00 p.m. on March 3rd. Representatives from Villa will also listen to these meetings as we continue collaborative dialogue with the Sisters through this process. You can learn more and register here.

Our commitment to excellence in whole-child education—grounded in fostering compassionate hearts and confident minds for our current and future students—remains unchanged.

Please reach out to me with any questions. Again, we are in the beginning phases of a years-long process. You will hear more from our leadership and staff in the coming weeks and months as we continue on this journey together. 

Go here for more information.

With deep gratitude,
Julie Thenell Grasseschi, Interim Head of School

Here is a letter sent by the Sisters of Cabrini to neighbors:

This information was  published in the Business Journal:

Vacant 21 acres in Laurelhurst to be sold

East of the Villa Academy in Laurelhurst, at 5215 N.E. 50th St., there's a tree-covered swath of land extending down to Lake Washington. Those 21.7 acres are now going on the market, almost surely meaning subdivision into single-family home sites. Even so, expect the neighbors to protest.

The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus announced Friday the property would go on the market. Brokers weren't named by the MSC.

And the Seattle Times: 

22 acres in Seattle are about to hit the market. Will the site become more housing?

An expansive wooded plot of land on the western bank of Lake Washington will soon hit the market for sale, raising the prospect of a new single-family housing development in Seattle and prompting questions about what type of homes would best serve a growing city with a housing shortage.

The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus plan to list the 21.7-acre parcel located just south of Northeast 50th Street, the group said Friday. The Sisters have not yet announced a price, but the land is zoned for single-family homes, meaning it could draw interest from developers looking to tap into the hot housing market. 

The announcement called the sale “part of a global realigning of the Missionary Sisters’ assets to ensure they are serving those most in need.” The land being sold does not include the nearby Villa Academy.

In Seattle, where most land is already built up to what current zoning rules allow, a potential new single-family housing development is rare. In a neighborhood where the median home price is nearly $2 million, the prospect is also likely to spark a debate about the types of housing allowed in some of the city’s most expensive neighborhoods. 

“Twenty-one point seven acres in Seattle being an invisibly gated community — that’s not fair housing,” said Laura Loe, executive director of Share the Cities, which advocates for greater density and affordable housing.

Colleen McAleer, president of the Laurelhurst Community Club, said the sale came as a surprise, but argued it’s too soon to speculate about what type of development could take place. Any buyer should balance development of the land with protection of tree canopy, she said.

“Most folks in the neighborhood understand there’s a housing shortage. What we hear from most of our neighbors is they’re fine with additions of things, carefully placed and well thought out and that follow the codes as far as height,” McAleer said. 

About a decade ago, Laurelhurst neighbors resisted a proposed development by Seattle Children’s, citing traffic and other concerns, and the hospital agreed to scale back its expansion plans. 

Just a mile away from the Sisters site, plans for a single-family development at the former site of the Talaris Research Institute have drawn similar questions. Some neighbors worried about development of the “oasis” of open space. Loe and others saw the site as a missed opportunity that should include affordable and workforce housing. 

The city has not yet issued construction permits for the Talaris site, but given long timelines for land-use planning and zoning changes, neither site is likely to be rezoned or used for denser housing, Loe said.

“We’re not going to prevent this from being mansions because all those pieces were set in motion 10 years ago,” Loe said of the Sisters site. “If people wanted to make it so this land could be … more affordable than McMansions in Laurelhurst, we’d need a time machine.”

“People need to stop seeing rezoning as a developer giveaway. Rezoning here would have meant more fairness for more people,” Loe said.

Friday Villa Haunted House Put On By New Owner Of Pro Robics Building

A Villa Academy  (5001 NE 50th Street) parent would like to share this information about a Halloween event at Villa put on by Summit Capital Partners, a Real Estate investment and Development company.

The owner, Jim Thorpe, purchased the Pro Robics building in November of 2019 for $7.6 million, according to King County records for his headquarters. The seller was Aerobics Building LLC, which acquired the corner property in 2004 for $3.1 million.

ProRobics closed last year after 30 years in that location.

Jim Thorpe told the Laurelhurst Blog that his company purchased the building to renovate and have their corporate headquarters and it will be fully occupied for commercial use. The space underwent some remodeling. Approximately 30 staff are working in the offices of the real estate investment company.

Jim Thorpe, the Seattle-based Real Estate Entrepreneur, is Pleased to Announce
the 7th Annual Laurelhurst Haunted House

 

Jim Thorpe, the founder of Seattle-based Summit Capital Partners is thrilled to announce his collaboration with a Villa Academy community service project to benefit Northwest Harvest.

SEATTLE, Washington  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As Halloween weekend approaches, Jim Thorpe and Summit Capital Partners are putting the final touches on their most spirited project to date, the Laurelhurst Haunted House. This is the seventh year Jim has collaborated with his son for his community service project at Villa Academy. The haunted house is a passion project for Jim. He believes it is the perfect opportunity to rally the community together and bring awareness to a cause he cherishes dearly. Break out your spookiest costume for a worthy cause and an evening filled with excitement.

Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $1.00 or a non-perishable item. Jim’s goal this year is to raise $5,000 and 5,000 non-perishable goods. All contributions benefit Northwest Harvest, with matching donations from Summit Capital Partners.

The construction team at Summit Capital is responsible for bringing the haunted house to life. It takes two weeks to build, from planning to execution. Featuring live-action characters, spooky effects, and the opportunity to pose with an eight-foot-tall Jason Vorhees backdrop, this is an event your neighbor will not forget.

Jim Thorpe founded Summit Capital Partners to share his passion for real estate development. Summit Capital specializes in sourcing and acquiring financial opportunities and risk-adjusted solutions throughout the Puget Sound. His team at Summit Capital Partners will be assisting throughout the 3-day production. From working the entrance to performing in the haunted house, you do not want to miss the opportunity to meet the people behind the magic of this unique haunted house.

Friday Villa Academy Holiday Drive Through Event

 Villa Academy (5001 NE 50th Street) is having a special holiday event on Friday:

Free Drive-through Holiday Light Display at Villa Academy

Friday, December 11, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Villa Academy invites neighbors to hop in the car and treat their families to a festive (and safe) drive-through holiday display. An array of twinkling lights, woodland animals, and storybook characters will greet you as you take the short drive through Villa’s campus, located in the heart of Laurelhurst at 5001 NE 50th Street.

Campus vehicle entry is at the intersection of NE 50th Street and 50th Avenue NE. Please note that for safety, there will be no access to our facilities and participants must remain in their cars. We’ll have cocoa and cookies for all, so when you roll down your windows, please wear masks.

We hope to see you there! 

For more information go here. 

Villa Academy Construction Resulting In Traffic Reroute Through Summer

The Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) recently published this information in their newsletter:


Villa Field Construction Will Reroute Traffic

Villa Academy ((5001 NE 50th Street) ) Head of School John K. Milroy announced an upgrade to their on-campus athletic field. Work begins this month and continues during the summer months.  

The field is expected to be completed prior to the start of school September 5. During the construction while school is still in session, driving near Villa will be challenging and congested.  

Milroy wrote, “During construction, the school’s NE 50th Street exit – immediately across the intersection of NE 50th Street and Nicklas Place NE – will be closed and no vehicles will be able to use that exit until the project is completed.  

During construction, the only exit from the main areas of the campus (i.e., the areas near the main building, chapel, gymnasium) will be through the south-side property gate and onto 51st Ave. NE.”

Burglar Steals Purse While Resident Sleeping In House Near Villa

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information:

I live on the 4500 block of 51st Avenue NE on a dead end street next to Villa Academy. I had my purse stolen sometime in the middle of the night on Thursday morning, July 6th.

The  grey backpack style purse  was stolen from my dining table while I was asleep upstairs. Very disturbing as I was home alone. A dining room window was pried open.  

The victim's neighbor wrote:

Our neighbor was robbed recently. The burglars opened a side window and stole her fancy back pack which she used as a purse and she would like to get it back if anyone finds the bag.    

The police came and said it was very common especially at this time of year’  her car keys weren’t taken and they were next to the bag. Our neighbors heard noises around 2am.

Please contact laurelhurstblogger@gmail.com if you have information.

LCC Not Satisfied With Children's Hospital Emergency Response Protocol Document Recently Released Following Psychiatric Patient September Escape As Schools Not Notified Among Other Lingering Worries

 

 

 

site of incident last September

of home break-in

committed by escaped

Children's Hospital psychiatric patient

A Children's Hospital psychiatric patient escaped from the hospital last September when the power failed and he proceeded to be able to leave the hospital and walk into the neighborhood, breaking into a home in the 4300 block of 53rd Avenue NE and barricading himself in there for almost five hours.

As the Laurelhurst Blog reported, the teen-age patient finally came out of the home when his mother arrived and reportedly asked him to come out. The owners of the home where the patient broke in had left the house for one hour to go grocery shopping and returned to find the ordeal happening in their home.

This incident, turned more serious when it was learned, that weapons were possibly in the home, resulting in about four SWAT vehicles racing to the affected area blocking it off and not allowing residents to return to their homes for many hours.

Nearby families and those with children at the neighborhood schools were alarmed to learn that the initial call from the Hospital to the Police did not get broadcast over the Police scanner so that Public School District Security who monitor activity around public schools was not able to inform the Principal at Laurelhurst Elementary School. And Villa Academy reportedly found out about the incident from a parent.  
The Blog Staff received many emails following the ordeal, asking what types of psychiatric patients are housed at the hospital , why the nearby schools weren't notified to go into a lock-down and why the Hospital security staff was not authorized to apprehend the escapee?

A resident, who was directly affected by the incident,  worried what might have happened if the house had been occupied at the time of the invasion, and whether this incident could have ended tragically.   

She added:

Incredibly, Hospital staff just watched as the escapee entered the back yard to break into the house, and did nothing to prevent it. What if the escapee had then attacked the occupants?  Would they just stand by and also let that happen?  

If the Hospital is going to expose the surrounding community to this type of risk, they need to employ security staff who are trained and authorized to prevent crimes and fully protect the community when potentially dangerous patients escape from their custody.

 
Last November, the Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) were able to finally meet with  representatives from the Hospital including Todd Johnson, Vice President, Facilities and Supply Chain, as well as several Public Relations and Community outreach people and two Psychiatric Department doctors. 

The three LCC attendees asked for the facts of the incident and to learn about their emergency protocols. 

LCC provided this meeting summary to the Laurelhurst Blog Staff:

Right during and after the incident at the Hospital, LCC activated our 'standing committee" that was required by both entities in the Settlement  Agreement, and requested a meeting on emergency protocols.

At the meeting we did obtain the facts, and with that, we expressed serious concern for lack of information given to local schools, supposedly via the Seattle Police. 

LCC suggested a more direct response to the two nearby schools,  at a minimum directly from the Hospital. The Hospital said they "would get back to LCC."  The schools denied that any contact  was made at the time of the incident.

In January the Hospital sent LCC the general information (pasted below) regarding the special unit and protocol.  

LCC believes this explanation is not acceptable as it does not address the need for immediately notification from the Hospital, but rather solely from the Police.

LCC formally asked both Schools what is the most effective method for the Hospital to notify them so that LCC can draft an inclusive letter to the Hospital from the community.   

Villa responded right away, but the Principal at Laurelhurst Elementary has yet to respond to LCC with a formal response.  LCC can’t understand the delay with the Laurelhurst principal with such a serious matter and tasked with keeping her students and staff safe.  

Because of this delay, the formal  LCC response to the Hospital is held up due to the Principal's non-response and LCC has given her another 2 week deadline.  "Let's hope the principal replies," LCC told the Blog Staff.  

Thus, it may take until the end of February to have both a response from the school and then to hear back from the Hospital.  

If not, LCC will draft a letter  without the School's input as we are not satisfied at all with The Hospital "emergency response" which just bumps it to the Seattle Police, which is very understaffed, especially in NE Seattle.

 

Here is the information posted in the most recent Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) Newsletter:



Emergency Protocol at Children’s Clarified

After the alarming September incident where a psychiatric patient left the hospital and broke into a home, LCC met with Children’s representatives and asked them to clarify their protocol for dealing with this type of emergency. While this is still a work in progress and LCC will provide more feedback, Todd Johnson and Children’s staff updated the protocol, the highlights of which follow, as well as an explanation of their Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Unit.  

LCC strongly advocates that the protocol include notifying LCC and nearby schools of any breach of security or serious incident that could impact the neighborhood. 

 
 
Here is the information LCC and the Laurelhurst Blog Staff received from Children's Hospital: 

Seattle Children’s Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Unit (PBMU) is a 41-bed, acute care psychiatric facility providing care for children and adolescents throughout the Pacific Northwest. PBMU staff and providers evaluate and provide inpatient treatment for children ages 4 – 18 who have emotional, behavioral and neuropsychiatric disorders. Young adults (up to age 21) who have developmental disabilities may also be considered for admission. 

The PBMU is not a juvenile correctional facility and does not offer forensic services. Youth who have or are suspected of committing violent crimes, and/or are in need of forensic or competency evaluations, are not admitted to Seattle Children’s PBMU. These youth are served by the state of Washington in state-run facilities (e.g., Child Study and Treatment Center and Echo-Glen Children’s Center).  

Some of the more common reasons for admission to the unit include mood and anxiety disorders, suicidality, disruptive behavior disorders, eating disorders (e.g., anorexia/bulimia), and autism. The PBMU is also invested in treating children with unique medical problems. Youth may be admitted on a voluntary or involuntary basis. 

The model of care in the PBMU emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to evaluation and treatment, and care includes helping patients build appropriate skills, providing support and education for parents, medication evaluation and adjustment, connection to community resources, and medical nursing services as needed.   

The PBMU environment is highly structured. Daily activities include group therapy and an educational program where patients engage in academic schoolwork The average length of stay in the PBMU is about a week. The vast majority of children and youth served on the PBMU return home and immediately reintegrate back into outpatient care and community school settings. 

 

What steps are typically taken and what additional steps will be taken when a patient leaves hospital grounds?
 

When any patient under medical supervision leaves hospital grounds, a Code Pink is called. Outlined below is our Code Pink Protocol:

 

1. A Code Pink is called as soon as the patient has left property.

 

2. Security Services will call 911 immediately once a patient has left campus.  The Seattle police assume primary responsibility of patient safety and recovery once the patient has left campus.

 

3. Security Services will attempt to keep the patient in sight at all times to help insure their safety and to serve as a location support for the Seattle police.

 

4. Security officers and Code Purple team responders will attempt to de-escalate the patient and gain their cooperation in returning to main campus.

 

5. Security officers will and have physically intervened and restrained patients who attempted to walk/run into crowded streets.

 

6. As a result of the September 28^th, 2015 incident, officers have been advised to consider physical restraint and intervention should a patient appear to be attempting entry into a private dwelling/private residence.

 

Q and A
 

Q: So Seattle Children’s security staff will call 911 once a patient has left campus?

A: Yes – this to obtain optimum support and to keep the patient safe.

Q: Security team members will have the discretion to restrain a patient should said patient appear to be attempting entry into a private dwelling?

A: Yes – officers may choose to intervene physically.

Q: Will the Seattle police assume primary responsibility in taking the lead once a patient has left the hospital campus?

A: Yes

 

What are Seattle Children’s protocols for ensuring doors remain locked and /or are monitored during fire testing, actual fires or other catastrophic events?

 

If the fire/life safety system “thinks” there’s a fire (as signaled by the operation of a pull station, smoke detector, or water flowing through a sprinkler head), then alarm/strobes will sound and the doors will unlock.   We mitigate against false alarms by placing pull stations inside of secure staff-only areas and employ a dual action sprinkler system.

 

If there is a fire drill in which the pull station is activated, then the doors open as previously described.

 

If there is a power loss, the access control system is powered by the emergency generators.  When transitioning from city power to generator the battery backup for the access control boards and locks will keep the doors locked.  The auto operators would not work during this transition time, but the magnets will continue to hold.

 

If there is a seismic event, the doors remain locked unless a pull station or sprinkler head is activated.

 

If there is a “Code Grey” (Bomb Threat) or other emergency, the doors remain locked unless a pull station is activated.

.

Villa Academy To Install Synthetic Turf

 

Villa Academy is in the process of replacing the existing natural grass with artificial turf.

Permit 3019368 states:

Land Use Application to allow 5,100 cu.yds. of grading in an environmentally critical area. Project includes removal and replacement of the existing grass field with synthetic surface field and install retaining walls with other site improvements

 

John K. Milroy, Head of Villa School told the Laurelhurst Blog Staff:

You may have noticed two large signs posted recently near Villa Academy’s entrances – one near the main school entrance on 50th Street - the other near the entrance to our preschool on 49th Avenue.   

These signs are being posted in accordance with a land use application to the Seattle Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and to give public notice that Villa Academy seeks to make improvements to our soccer field.  

Poor drainage on our field severely limits its use through the school year.   It gets muddy quickly and the surface is easily damaged; we need an all-season solution to make reasonable use of the field.   

Therefore, we are conducting a soil analysis and pursuing the necessary city permits to remedy the problem.  Because the permit process can be lengthy, we're starting now in order to preserve options and to be in a position to take action when we are in a position to fund the improvement. 

I don't expect any impact on the neighborhood, though when we get to the construction phase (at an undetermined time in the future), there will be increased truck activity for a short period of time.     

Villa cares deeply about the neighborhood - we have a shared history and a bright future.  We need to take steps now to bring a higher level of maintenance and improvement to the building and grounds.   

Please know we are not planning to change what we do or who we are.  Our plans are consistent with being a good neighbor and align with our shared interests of preserving the beauty and peacefulness of the neighborhood.

Villa Academy Offering Wide Range Of Summer Camps

 

Villa Academy (5001 NE 50th Street) is offering over 50 weeklong morning and afternoon camps, called Villa Ventures, for children ages 4-14.

Camps include visual and performing arts, sports, science, as well as special interest topics such as animation and cooking using ingredients from the school garden.

Here is a list of camps:
Roaring Rockets
Basketball
Cheerleading
Brick Animation
Clay Animation
Mini-Hawk Sports
Star Wars
Tie-Dye Madness
Rocking Gizmos
Craft Zone
Drama
Hogwarts Academy
Party Time
Soccer
Super Heroes
Golf
Just Desserts
Seaside Arts Camp
Candleshop
Lacrosse
Narrative Writing Skills
Pirates Ahoy!
Old School Summer Fun
Quidditch
Simple Suppers
Splish Splash Fun

Go here for full details on all camps offered.

The website information says:

Summer at Villa is an unforgettable adventure where campers explore their interests, discover their passions, make friends, build self-confidence, and have fun!

Speedbumps Near Back Entrance To Villa Not Chosen For City Funding

The City's Neighborhood Park And Street Fund recently selected nine projects that will be funded, and Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) said that no Laurelhurst projects were chosen.

A proposal was submitted, in February, by the Laurelhurst Community Club and Villa Academy to install speed bumps on NE 45th Street and 51st Avenue NE at the back entrance to Villa.

This project was stack ranked 9th out of the top six that will be funded. 

The Neighborhood Park and Street Fund provides funds annually to neighborhoods for small-scale improvements to streets and parks. The projects, which can receive up to a total of $90,000, are proposed by community members and if chosen are implemented the following year.

LCC said:

This year, the street fund was highly competitive with 16 very worthwhile projects.  It’s unfortunate that the Laurelhurst project didn’t make the cut.  

It is LCC’s understanding that neighbors in that area continue to work on solutions to the high speeds as vehicles exit the Villa.   

The proponents did an excellent presentation before NEDC and presented the results of a speed study they had commissioned that demonstrate the need for speed humps or some kind of solution to slow speeds.   

The Villa headmaster submitted a letter in support of the project.

 

Below is the final ranking of street fund projects:

 

Northeast District Council NSPF Projects – 2015 Ballot Ranking

 

Prsnt #	Proj #	Project Location	Project Description	Lead Applicant	Comm Org	POINTS AWARDED
1	013	NE 45th Street/51st Av NE	Install speed humps	William Leedon	Laurelhurst Comm Club, Villa Academy	82
2	049	2100 block NE 61st	Improve accessibility/ abate erosion	John Vallier	RBCA	26
3	056	8th NE/NE 57, NE 58, NE 60	Curb ramps/ped safety	Katherine Dodsley	Roosevelt Neighbors Alliance	75
4	063	NE 70th/8th NE intersection	Curb bulb construction	Scott Cooper	Roosevelt Neighborhood Association	93
5	078	15th Ave NE/NE 50th St intersection	Upgrade crosswalk /add “stop for peds” sign	Mark Foltz	Seattle Greenways	125
6	098	Weedin Place	Construction of improvements to vacated street	Katie Wood & Kmbris Bond	Roosevelt Neighborhood Association	97
7	101	Brooklyn Av NE/NE 50/NE 52	Sidewalk repair	Maureen Ewing	University Heights Center	107
8	106	NE 90/25 Av NE – NE 94/32nd Av NE	Create a Home Zone	Brianna McDonald	Wedgwood Comm Council	85
9	114	15th NE/NE Pacific – Lake City Way	Road diet	Andres Salomon	Sea Neighborhood Greenways	48
10	115	NE 43rd/U Way – Brooklyn NE	Construction of Parklet	Cory Crocker	U District Comm Cncl/adjacent merchants	131
11	120	NE 55th/35th Av NE	Sidewalk repair	Joe Clare	RBCA	71
12	135	Sand Point Way/NE 74th – NE 77th	Sidewalk construction	Diana Kincaid	View Ridge/ Magnuson Park	120
13	139	NE 65th/32nd Av NE	Ped safety improvements	Robert Elleman	NE Sea Greenways	84
14	149	2401 NE Blakeley St	Ped safety crossing	Nancy Bouldin	RBCA	80
15	152	Banner Triangle	Ped safety improvements	Michael Greever	Roosevelt Neighborhood Association	73
16	006	Walkway under University Bridge	Sidewalk repair	Erika Bigelow	Wallingford Community Council	63