A century-old building was demolished in Orting, WA, due to the issuance of a demolition permit in error. Former students reacted emotionally, while others found it necessary for the community's benefit.
A century-old school building in Orting that was listed on the Pierce County Register of Historic Places has been partially destroyed after the Pierce County Planning and Public Works Department said a demolition permit was “issued in error.
”, built in 1915, is located along State Route 162, also known as Orting Highway. The Alderton School has been listed on the Pierce County Register of Historic Places since 1986. Former students said seeing the partial demolition has been emotional.
“I really enjoyed going to school here,” said Peggy Anderson, who attended the school. “I noticed it was being torn down, and I almost broke down in tears. I’ve got a lot of memories here. ” Maxine Herbert-Hill, another former student, said, “It was a wonderful place to get a good education.
Great education. ” Herbert-Hill said she has “mixed feelings,” adding, “I lived my childhood years here and have so many wonderful memories. ”“It’s been an eyesore, a public nuisance. It’s just not been an asset to the community for decades.
The time is right for it to be taken down,” Herbert-Hill said. In a statement, Pierce County Planning and Public Works said “a demolition permit was issued in error in March 2026 for two structures at 9512 Orting Highway East. ” The county said an internal alert showed a historic designation was attached to the parcel, but it “was not reviewed by county staff before the permit was issued.
” The county said the Development Services team was notified of the mistake by a county employee, and a stop-work order was issued the same day demolition began, May 18. According to the statement, the permit covers two structures on the property: the gym and the Alderton School.
The county said the Alderton School has been listed on the Pierce County Register of Historic Places since 1986, the Washington Heritage Register since 1987, and the National Register of Historic Places since 1987. Planning and Public Works said listing on historic registries “recognizes a property’s historical significance but does not, by itself, prevent private ownership, use, alteration, or demolition.
” The statement also said applicants are not required to provide a reason for demolition when filing a permit, and there are no other active pre-applications or permits on file under the parcel number indicating future development plans. The statement said, “Pierce County Planning and Public Works is taking immediate steps to address this and is working with our permitting software administrators to implement more prominent visual alerts and automated controls that would prevent an application from moving forward without the required review when a historic designation is present.
” With a stop-work order in place, “the contractor will be required to work with the Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission before any further activity can proceed. In the meantime, we are working with the contractor to secure the site, including the installation of fencing,” according to Planning and Public Works.
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Local News Building Renovations Alderton School Demolition Permit Error Former Students' Emotions Community Benefit Review Of Grant Money High-Speed Chase Burglary Stabbed In Federal Way
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