Washington School Redevelopment
A Path Forward
Study, Concept and Hope
Study, Concept and Hope
Areal View of School Property from North ca. 2024
Thanks to a generous donation to the City, the City of Stillwater purchased the property in 2023. Soon there after, the Washington School Heritage Foundation was formed to help create a new future for the property.
The Washington School Advisory Committee is charged with providing guidance and suggestions on use of the property.
The City of Stillwater advised the Committee that the City does not have financial resources available for redevelopment of the property due to serious budget constraints.
The Washington School Heritage Foundation works closely with the City, the Advisory Committee and the community to provide resources to progress redevelopment and help with an operating plan.
Study, Concept and Hope
Study, Concept and Hope
Study, Concept and Hope
Twenty20 Conceptual Design of Block
The City commissioned an assessment and conceptual study of the school in 2023 by a Tulsa firm, Twenty20 . In general, the conclusion was that the 1938 structure was suitable for redevelopment.
The Foundation Gets to Work
The Foundation is working closely with the City and the community to assist with planning, redevelopment and developing a sustainable operating organization.
The Foundation commissioned a Tulsa firm, 1Architecture, to conduct an Architectural and Engineering Study of Washington School. Included in that study was a detailed structural review, including the roof. The study started in late 2024. A rendering from that work is shown here.
Redevelopment work plans prior to March 2025, were focused on protecting and preparing the 1938 structure.
· Removal of trees threatening the structure
· the continued clearing of rubble inside and outside the building
· removal of errant interior elements like suspended ceilings, non-load bearing walls,
· shoring up compromised roof structures to reduce influx of water into the structure.
· Removal of non-salvageable structures that could be done with volunteers
The City Gets to Work
Washington School is on what is referred to the "12th Avenue Health Corridor", which will include multiple regionally significant sports and health facilities. A large competition swimming pool will be part of the YMCA, 200 yards west of Washington School. Development of a massive competitive soccer complex is planned, with a major portion already operational, also close to the school. Plans for a large Youth Recreation Center across the street to the west are well advanced. All this will bring thousands of visitors from out of town. Because of proximity and and planned configuration, Washington School will play a part in these vibrant additions to 12th Avenue, Stillwater and the Region.
The City of Stillwater, Tourism Advisory Board recognized the value that Washington School will bring to the City and visitors, and recommended to the City Council that the City fund demolition of the dilapidated, ancillary structures on the block. The City Council approved the work, and in early 2026, the demolition was complete and soon thereafter sod was placed
An Urgent Focus on Asset Protection - A New Roof
Gymnasium roof blown of for first time since 1938 construction
In March 2025 an historic windstorm blew off much of the gymnasium roof, exposing the well-preserved wood structure.
A new roof on the gymnasium moved to highest priority.
Within weeks of the storm, a roofing company prepared an estimate to reroof the entire structure for $200,000. There was no relief funding nor insurance money available. And, that cost did not include the various structural and masonry repairs required to properly reroof the building
A fundraising event in April 2025 raised $135,000 which at that time, was deemed enough to put a new roof on the gymnasium.
Thanks to some very generous donors, who are donating all roofing materials, general contracting services, and skilled crafts, it is likely that the entire Washington School building will have a new roof by year's end 2026.
Incremental funding is still needed to enable this project to go forward this year, and we are seeking additional donor funding to fill the gap. As of October 17, 2026 the funding gap was $40,000.
Looking Ahead
Re-envisioned
Functional Spaces that Tell a Story and Serve
Space Utilization
The re-envisioned rendering of the front of the structure honors the architectural integrity of the building while enhancing its functionality and accessibility.
The Architect recommended an elevated floor to minimize flooding impacts and possibly negate flooding in some or all parts of the structure. Cost effective technologies are available to enable such.
Space Utilization
Functional Spaces that Tell a Story and Serve
Space Utilization
The vision is to develop a highly functional, marketable, sustainable facility that honors the heritage of the community and school and shares the inspiring history of the Stillwater Washington School.
Technology will be leveraged to enhance functionality and space versatility.
Functional Spaces that Tell a Story and Serve
Functional Spaces that Tell a Story and Serve
Synergies with the 12th Avenue Health Avenue Corridor
Creating great spaces that serve the community's needs and tell a story.
Spaces that are well planned to enable cost effective reconfigurations in seating, tables, screens, banners, lighting, and performing arts systems.
Synergies with the 12th Avenue Health Avenue Corridor
Synergies with the 12th Avenue Health Avenue Corridor
Synergies with the 12th Avenue Health Avenue Corridor
Ensure that space meets community and business needs and ensures synergies with other ongoing developments in the Stillwater 12th Avenue Health Corridor.
High Value Meeting and Conference Rooms
Synergies with the 12th Avenue Health Avenue Corridor
High Value Meeting and Conference Rooms
Leverage technology in room configurations to maximize benefits to the community, businesses and the region.
Experiential Spaces
Synergies with the 12th Avenue Health Avenue Corridor
High Value Meeting and Conference Rooms
Utilize technology and flexible room configurations to provide experiential learning for all ages. Science, history, business....
Next Steps
Keep Moving Forward
Operations and Teamwork
Operations and Teamwork
Considerable clean up and preparatory work can be conducted with modest funding, but redevelopment to deliver the vision will require considerable funding, individual, community and governmental effort.
Operations and Teamwork
Operations and Teamwork
Operations and Teamwork
An operating plan will be critical to the sustainability of the facility. It is essential that it include a funding plan and budget for operations and maintenance.
There are numerous operating and funding models currently deployed in Stillwater for City owned facilities to provide a good foundation to build from.
It will require teamwork.
Planning Ahead
The chart above represents a recent view for activity and cashflow projected to get the property operational. Until detail design and engineering is complete, the cost and timeline is at best budgetary.
The Foundation is constantly planning and updating its outlook for redevelopment. Working closely with the City and the wide range of stakeholders. In the front end of a project like this, with numerous and diverse stakeholders and continually improving project definition, plans change, and that is a good thing, as long as we're not going backwards. Fortunately, we have a strong team on the Foundation and among our stakeholders, with a wide range of skills including redeveloping large older building, designing and delivering high quality heritage/community spaces, fundraising, historical research and preservation, project management and community engagement.