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news griefs WHITEAKER POOL? • Westmoreland Elementary was The old Whiteaker School may become a identified as a strong opportunity for afford- city swimming pool, Willakenzie School able housing.The area is already well served could be used for a neighborhood park and by several nearby parks. portions of Bailey Hill, Willard and •Whiteaker School did not meet crite- Westmoreland School property could be con- ria for affordable housing. Residents are al- verted to low-income housing,according to a ready served by nearby parks. But the site city study.. was rated high for possible use as a future The city of Eugene reviewed eight 4J ele- swimming pool or other recreation/commu- mentary school sites the district has listed as nity center needed in the central city area. surplus for possible city purchase for parks, • Willakenzie School was rated high recreation or affordable housing. for a neighborhood park(fields on as.portion "Many of the school sites offer excellent of the site)and high for low-income housing. opportunities for new[low-income]housing •Willard/Eastside was rated as moder- sites," the city study found. The affordable ately suitable for a neighborhood park on the housing would likely be used by many fami- portion of the site away from 29th Avenue. lies with children,helping 4J with its declin- The site was also rated highly suitable for af- ing enrollment problems.School district offi- fordable housing.But 4J has listed the site as cials are"very interested in housing that re- a"reserve" school location, so it's unclear sults in increased enrollment,"the study said. when and if the district may sell it. The city would only buy about half to a —Alan Pittman (1110. third of any school site for affordable hous- ing.The rest of the site could be used for mar- ket-rate homes. The city is interested in only the land,not the buildings. The city report describes the older schools as too costly to renovate. School District 4J hasn't reached final de- cisions on how to dispose of the property.But here's the city's view of potential uses for the school sites: • Bailey Hill Elementary rated high for possible use as affordable housing. The city described the site as not suitable for a neighborhood park because it is already ade- quately served by nearby playing fields at Kennedy Middle School and Churchill High School. • Dunn School was rated moderate for low-income housing and low for a park.The neighborhood isn't well served by parks,but e ugenW e ekiay the site is too small and difficult to access. • Laurel Hill School was not suitable May 2.6f. ZOO=j for affordable housing or a park.An existing park south of the school already serves the neighborhood. • Santa Clara Elementary was rated as moderately suitable for housing or a park (away from River Road) and deserving of ••. further evaluation