The Cascade School, located 101 SW Second St. in Chehalis, has been listed in the Washington Heritage Register, wrote Allyson Brooks, Ph.D., in an Oct. 7 letter to The Chronicle.
The former school — and now apartment complex — is one of over “2,100 other historic and culturally significant properties which have been recognized for their unique contributions to Washington’s heritage,” according to Brooks, a state historic preservation officer.
“Additionally, I am pleased to report to you that the nomination will be sent to the Keeper of the National Register in Washington, D.C., with a request that the property be listed in the National Register of Historic Places at the local level of significance,” Brooks wrote.
“Having a property listed in one or both of these registers is an honor,” Brooks continued. “The benefits of State and National Register listing include potential tax credits, property tax deductions and code waivers to protect the integrity of the resource. Listing a property does not impose federal or state restrictive covenants or easements nor will it result in a taking. However, listing in the National Register of Historic Places and/or the Washington Heritage Register does assure protective review of a property should a federal or state action have a potential adverse effect to the property’s historic values.”
On Aug. 7, the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the repurposed Cascade Elementary School now known as the Cascade Apartments.
The historic school building contains 51 luxury apartment units and includes a fitness center and game room. The gymnasium is expected to be restored and available for use this winter, according to a past news release.
The property is managed by Northwest Property Managers, formerly TJ Guyer.
