UMD purchased a nearby school building in 2006, which has been remodeled to host several programs, including the Dept of Communication Sciences and Disorders, the Robert F. Pierce Speech-Language Hearing Clinic, Preschool in the Park, and the Fine Arts Academy. It is also home to most of the Music Ensemble Rehearsal Rooms.
Chester Park School was built in 1927 with upgrades added in 1967. The University purchased the building on June 30, 2006. In 2008, The Duluth Preservation Alliance awarded the building Renovation Project for work that maintained the schools structural history while retrofitting it for state of the art education and research. In addition it has been updated with multiple energy efficient features. The building is being used for *College of Education Human Services Professions ‘Departments of Communication Sciences Disorders, Robert F. Pierce Speech and Hearing Clinic, and Preschool at the Park; Minnesota Sea Grant College Program; and School of Fine Arts’ Vocal Program and Fine Arts Academy.