The Tregaron Conservancy’s Board of Directors met recently to review the Washington International School’s revised Science+ Project, which has been submitted to the Historic Preservation Review Board. Upon careful consideration of the revised building proposal, site-specific landscape mitigation and enhancement measures, and new proposed landscape enhancements, the Conservancy’s Board of Directors has agreed to support the School’s modified plans as compatible with the landmark, taking all of these factors into consideration. At the same time, the Conservancy finalized an agreement with the School (signed on May 22, 2017) that restores the positive relationship we have enjoyed for many years, for the long-term benefit of the Conservancy.
Eleven years ago, the Conservancy was formed through the dedication and hard work of citizens to protect and enhance the Tregaron Estate, and through the financial support of citizens, grant-making organizations and the School. This support enabled the Conservancy to transform the landscape from a severely neglected land-holding to a treasured public resource. At its inception, the Conservancy Board was organized to include individuals, representatives of community organizations, and representatives of the School. The Conservancy looks forward to continuing its work, in the spirit of collaboration, to rehabilitate the historic Tregaron landscape.
We are grateful to the Conservancy’s supporters and friends for their expressed interest and recognize their concern about the Project. The Conservancy Board faced a difficult decision and weighed all of the factors in reaching its decision. If the Project is approved, under the terms of the agreement, the Conservancy will work with the School to ensure that any impact on the Conservancy and its visitors during construction will be minimized and contained.
The Conservancy Board opposed the School’s previously-submitted plans for the Science+ Project based on mass, scale and location, among other factors. The HPRB rejected that project, with Review Board members providing feedback that the School incorporated into the current modified plan. Additionally, the Project includes new landscape mitigation features enhancements at the Macomb Entrance to the Conservancy.
In weighing the factors of the long-term partnership of the School and Conservancy coupled with the School’s modified building and landscape plans, the Board concluded that on balance the Project is compatible with the Estate, and can therefore be supported by the Conservancy. The Board intends to work closely with the School to assure that the landscape plans are fulfilled and the work is performed accurately and completely.
