City Council to Debate Future of Kobayashi House

No one will argue that Kobayashi House has seen better days. The 49 year-old structure on 5 acres, purchased by the city of University Place in 2004, is charred by fire, riddled with vandalism and barred from public use.

At tonight’s special study session, the University Place city council will discuss several courses of option for the publicly owned property.

Options for the city include:

• Repurposing the house as a shelter and trailhead for the Chambers Creek Trail, as recommended by the UP Parks and Recreation Commission;
• Renovating the property to be used as a public-use facility and open it to weddings, retreats and other private events;
• Bringing the whole issue back to the drawing board for further study;
• Demolishing the house, if the other three options are not desirable.

In an interview with the Tacoma News Tribune, UP Mayor Ken Grassi said the council hopes to determine the property’s fate later this month, or in early May.

As the property was acquired with over $500,000 in public funds, its only use can be for public enjoyment. The deed restrictions do not force the city to either demolish or preserve the property, but the city cannot allow the house to be used as a private residence, long-term. The city had rented it to a family on an interim basis a couple years ago but found black mold in it; a kitchen fire destroyed part of the building in 2010.

Two local contractors have estimated that renovating the building would cost the city between $659,000 and $882,000, according to a staff report. The city currently has no money in the budget allotted for renovation of Kobayashi.

According to the TNT, city workers boarded up the building’s windows three weeks ago after vandals broke in. 

Tonight's study session begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall meeting room.

What do you think UP should do with Kobayashi House? Tell us in the comments.