Randy Mueller, CEO of the Port of Chehalis, talks about different plans that were proposed for R.E. Bennett in May 2019 at W.F. West High School in Chehalis.
James Hill, of KMB Architects, left, talks building layouts with his grandfather Jim Hill, of Chehalis, right, Wednesday afternoon at W.F. West High School in Chehalis.
Randy Mueller, CEO of the Port of Chehalis, talks about different plans that were proposed for R.E. Bennett with attendees Wednesday afternoon at W.F. West High School in Chehalis.
James Hill, of KMB Architects, talks about building layouts Wednesday afternoon at W.F. West High School in Chehalis.
Heather Pinkerton, Director of Business and Operations for the Chehalis School District checks the air unit during an open house event Wednesday afternoon at W.F. West High School in Chehalis.
Randy Mueller, CEO of the Port of Chehalis, talks about different plans that were proposed for R.E. Bennett with attendees Wednesday afternoon at W.F. West High School in Chehalis.
With another month or two to go before an ongoing feasibility study on the R.E. Bennett and Cascade Elementary School buildings and site is complete, the firm conducting the study presented their most up-to-date findings with community members Wednesday evening.
Olympia-based KMB Architects is conducting the study — which is a joint venture between the Port of Chehalis and Chehalis School District — and they’ve centered their findings on three possible options for the historic R.E. Bennett building: a daycare facility, an apartment building or retail space/higher education space.
The findings were presented during an open house event hosted at the Chehalis School District offices.
None of those hypothetical uses for the building have an estimated price tag attached to them yet, said James Hill, partner at KMB Architects. Those details will be calculated during the last couple of months of the study.
Any of those options work within the existing footprint of the building, said Hill, and all would require certain mechanical, electrical and structural modifications.
Randy Mueller, CEO of the Port of Chehalis, said that regardless of how the building will be used, some of the same modifications will be needed to make the structure adhere to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. That means the stairwells near the entrance will be enclosed and fire doors added. It’s unfortunate, said Mueller, because the stairwells are a beloved part of the historic building.
“It’s very beautiful, but it’s not at all ADA accessible,” he said.
Mueller said that when the study is complete, and price estimates are tallied, both Port of Chehalis and school officials will be better able to move forward.
“And that really, to us, is answering the questions of what is actually feasible,” said Mueller.
Other options for the entire 5-acre plot include demolishing the Cascade building and putting in either town homes or single-family residential lots. None of the plans on display featured a rehabilitation of the Cascade building, which KMB Architects previously noted in a memo “was not reviewed, and project consensus is that it will be demolished due to building systems and structural deficiencies.”
Mueller said that while the three options aren’t the only possible uses for R.E. Bennett, they have thus far proven the most feasible. He said the study began considering numerous options, and then whittling them down, either by looking at what municipal code would allow or what needs the public put forth.
“What we try to do is narrow it down to the top uses that we’re hearing, either the needs in the community or what has been offered up,” said Mueller.
A popular recommendation for the R.E. Bennett building often brought up within the community was for it to be added to the pantheon of McMenamins, the popular series of bars, breweries and hotels. Both Mueller and Hill said that option was explored, but that McMenamins leadership wasn’t interested in the building at the time.
