Didn't promise to save the building.
But he stopped describing the center as underused.
And Nia considered that a beginning.
After the visit, Elaine stayed behind.
She asked to speak with Sun-hee and the community board representative about practical alternatives.
Holloway had already departed, leaving his driver waiting outside.
Nia helped gather the students' instruments.
When she returned to the office, Elaine was studying the old floor plans.
The architect looked up.
"Ms. Brooks."
Nia smiled.
"Yes?"
Elaine hesitated.
"Thank you for showing him the classes."
Nia looked surprised.
"You're welcome."
The architect folded the plans.
For a moment, her expression became tired.
"I've been trying to explain the relocation problem through reports for nearly a year."
Nia nodded.
"I know."
Elaine looked toward her.
"You've seen the correspondence?"
"Some of it."
The architect sighed.
"Then you know I haven't been ignoring it."
Nia studied her.
For several seconds, she considered what to say.
Then answered.
"I know the people responsible for designing a project don't always control the decisions made about it."
Elaine smiled sadly.
"That's true."
She looked toward the hallway where children were laughing.
Then continued.
"But I also know that if we keep presenting an unrealistic schedule, we become part of the problem."
Nia nodded.
The architect gathered her papers.
For a moment, she seemed resolved.
Then said.
"I'm going to prepare a revised plan with an actual operating sequence."
Nia smiled.
"Good."
Elaine looked toward her.
"And I'll make sure the community gets to examine it before anyone calls it final."
For the first time in months, Nia felt a genuine possibility that the center might survive.
Min-jae called two days later.
He'd received Elaine's preliminary alternative and wanted to discuss how his investment group might participate if the project could be redesigned responsibly.
Nia listened.
Then reminded him that the community center had a board and a director.
She didn't want decisions made privately because she happened to know the investor's daughter.
Min-jae agreed.
He arranged a meeting that included the center's representatives, Holloway's development team, and the independent consultants.
At the meeting, Elaine presented a phased construction sequence.
The proposal involved developing an adjacent parcel first, creating an interim rehearsal and classroom facility, then renovating the original music house in stages.
It required additional financing.
It also reduced the number of luxury units Holloway could sell in the initial phase.
The financial impact was significant.
But the design preserved continuous access to education programs and allowed the project to retain the cultural identity its marketing materials celebrated.