Sunday, February 20, 2011

Proposal for the Edison Gray Middle School/Barlow Annex

Proposal for the Edison Gray Middle School/Barlow Annex

By the Tacoma Outreach Center





Background: The South Tacoma community will lose a major portion of its historic and cultural fabric if current plans for the 1935 Edison Middle School and 1910 Barlow Annex proceed. The Tacoma School District has declared the property surplus, failed to put it on the historic register, and plans to demolish the structure.




Proposal: Work with the School District, the City of Tacoma, the South Tacoma Neighborhood Council, and the South Tacoma Business District, Veterans’ Groups (ie VFW, AMVETS, DAV, American Legion) local, state and federal agencies to create what would be called the Tacoma Outreach Center (TOC). The TOC is envisioned as a public/private enterprise governed by a non-profit structure focused on providing a 24/7 facility for Military Veterans, their families and children. The only requirement for basic services will be an honorable discharge certified with a valid DD Form 214.

Discussion: The Edison Gray Middle School/Barlow Annex is named both for the local neighborhood (Edison) and for Capt Robert Gray
whose exploration of the mouth of the Columbia River in 1792 established the U.S. claim to the Oregon territory. The buildings comprise a unique mix of old and new



and have had significant work done to both meet current building code and be compliant with the Americans with Disability Act. Some recent work has been done to repair a leaking roof, and the complex is provided with a perimeter fence, security cameras, and has upgraded electrical and internet capabilities. It includes a gymnasium, kitchen, classrooms, an inner courtyard, lab spaces, basements storage, and a theatre.



The creation of the TOC is intended to fill a need for veterans. The TOC will be a one-stop location for a wide variety of veterans needs with a special focus on women veterans – a population under serviced by current VA services. As envisioned, the TOC would proceed through a crawl, walk, and run approach to operations.

It is not intended to be a residential facility. Veterans, staff, and volunteers will have to meet fairly stringent standards of behavior and conduct. The TOC will provide social activities for music, theatre, the arts, and education. Veterans Service Organizations will be permitted to use office space for client intake and assistance.





A special Women’s-only wing will provide a safe place for women veterans.

The proximity of the TOC to the local middle school, residential housing in the neighborhood, and close proximity to bus and rail transportation make this an ideal location for such a facility.




Veterans from various VA work skills programs would be employed to restore and upgrade the facilities and provide not only jobs but training in a wide variety of skills. Space would be available for those veterans without a home to have storage for belongings while they seek shelter and work opportunities. Again, this is not a residential facility and many details will need to be fleshed out to preclude difficulties with the neighboring school and residential area.

Funding will come from a variety of local, state, and federal programs and full usage of the recently passed "Formerly Owned Resources for Veterans to Express Thanks for Service Act," or "FOR VETS Act of 2010," which adds select veterans organizations to the list of groups eligible to apply to receive surplus goods. These items range from laptops and desktop computers to dental supplies and generators. The law was signed in December 2010.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/governor-corbett-select-veterans-organizations-may-use-federal-surplus-donation-program-114741509.html


I know this seems like a big undertaking, but we can at least try. I can’t think of a better way to use the school all of our ancestors in this community helped create than to help veterans and their families that have given so much for all of us.