Parnassus Preparatory School in Maple Grove Receives Permission to Expand

Editor's note: Additional information has been added to the article March 22 regarding the proposed expansion and the Zachary Square landlord.

After opening only two years ago, Parnassus Preparatory School is looking to continue expanding.

The charter school, located at Zachary Square in Maple Grove, requested a planned unit development (PUD) amendment from the Maple Grove City Council at its March 18 meeting, which the council approved.

Parnassus received approval in 2011 to occupy about 22,000 square feet of the Zachary Square building, located off of Highway 610. Additional approval was received by the school to add an additional 13,000 feet in 2012, according to documents provided to the Maple Grove City Council. In 2012, the approval also included the construction of the playground in the parking lot.

Highlights of the Proposed Expansion

• Expand existing space by no more than 25,000 square feet for a total area occupied to 60,000 square feet at Zachary Square.

• Expansion would “wrap around the existing China Dragon Restaurant.”

• The new expansion would allow for the charter school to serve students kindergarten through eighth grade with a projected 650-720 student enrollment. Parnassus currently serves students up until sixth grade.  Currently enrollment is about 610 students.

• Projections by Parnassus suggest by 2018, the school will serve the full kindergarten through 12^th grade range.

• Site improvements do not include any significant changes to the exterior of the building with the exception of signage, doors and windows.

“There have always been supported of the idea that the completion in part or wholly of the 610 freeway would renew interest and viability in this site for retail users, but the current market and future projections are not strong for retail use,” Maple Grove Community Development Director wrote in a memo to the Maple Grove City Council. “The very fact that the center owner is willing to consider a lengthy lease for a non-retail user further supports the market outlook.”

It is anticipated the Maple Grove City Council will officially sign the PUD amendment resolution at their April 1, 2013 meeting.

Added March 22 - According to documents provided the Maple Grove City Council, which can be found by clicking here, Parnassus Preparatory School indicated "We continue to work with the landlord to determine final configuration. The final configuration will determine the excat size of the expansion and the number of classrooms. It will depend on lease negotiations as well as what is best for any other tenants impacted by the project."

Nearby business Tender Time Child Care Center co-owner Scott Miller told Patch they are planning continuing their business in the Zachary Square location and exploring a possible option to move within the mall and expand or remain at their current site. He said they are working in collaboration with mall owners and Parnassus.

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