Please help us rescue one of the Seattle area’s most precious historical and architectural treasures -- the St. Edward Seminary, centerpiece of the beautiful 316-acre St. Edward State Park in Kenmore, Washington. 

Originally when the state purchased the Seminary from the Archdiocese it was intended to become an active, recreational park with full use of the buildings but funding was never allocated.  The 4-story seminary building has been virtually abandoned for four decades and is in a terrible state of disrepair. 

This elegant Romanesque Revival structure with its pastel brick exterior, parquet floors, mahogany doors, and two-inch marble is listed on the National Register of Historical Places.  Even though the state has agreed to protect and preserve this landmark, that may not be enough to save the building.

Your voice is needed.

They say the greenest building is the one that is already built and preserving the Saint Edwards State Park Seminary is not only an environmentally responsible practice, but also helps to save our past while enriching our future.

The proposal by Daniels Real Estate would bring the majestic old seminary back to life and create in it a national park style lodge while also expanding the public use of the park.  Many of our most popular parks prominently feature historic hotel buildings.  Paradise Inn at Mount Rainier, Ahwahnee Hotel at Yosemite and Yellowstone park hotels all enhance the park experience and help make these parks a destination location attracting people from all over the country. 

Daniels Real Estate has an experienced team in historic renovation and thoughtfully takes into consideration adaptive reuse principals.  The hotel development is restricted to the property of the buildings.  The surrounding park will be respected with no proposed use or intrusion of public open space, trails or any other current park uses.

Nearly 10 acres with waterfront access will be added to the park through a land exchange adding to and preserving existing trails and lake access.

Other benefits include:

- Amenities for park visitors such as the café and spa.

- Revenue enhancement to our school district, city and fire district. 

-  Education and employment opportunities for students at Bastyr University and the local community.

- Saves the state taxpayers millions of dollars in deferred maintenance to retain an inactive and closed building.

- Revenue associated with the hotel could help pay for park improvements & maintenance.

- Rehabilitation creates 50% more jobs than new construction and tends to stay in the local economy.

The parks commission is expected to approve or reject the restoration project this spring. The sad reality is that if the state turns it back on St. Edward, the building will just sit there. Allowing the building to ‘naturalize’ as some have advocated will create a public hazard and nuisance. 

Historic buildings are beneficial to people because they give a sense of identity and belonging, they inspire us with awe and beauty, they tell us about our history and they foster a healthy and sustainable community.

Please Save Saint Edwards State Park and Support the Daniels Real Estate Development proposal. 

Please sign our petition now!

Want to do more?

Express your support by sending a letter or postcard to:

Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission

PO Box 42650

Olympia, WA 98504-2650

Or phone: 360-902-8502

Or email: commission@parks.wa.gov

You can read more about the St. Edward Seminary at: http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/history-echoes-in-decaying-halls-of-st-edward-seminary/

Learn about the Daniels proposal: http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/eastside/park-style-lodge-proposed-to-save-saint-edward-seminary-2/

Learn more about the developer:  http://www.danielsdevelopmentcompany.com/