State’s capital spending could benefit county

Published 10:46 pm Sunday, January 4, 2009

OLYMPIA — In the face of a multibillion-dollar budget deficit, Gov. Chris Gregoire is hoping to steer state money into building a children’s theater in Everett, improving a state park at Cama Beach and constructing buildings at two community colleges.

She is asking legislators for $95 million for projects in Snohomish and Island counties in her proposed $3.8 billion capital construction and local assistance budget.

She’s targeting those dollars for colleges, arts and theater programs, nonprofit social service groups, affordable housing projects, alternative energy development, and state parks improvements.

“The governor primarily wanted projects that either provided an economic boost or provided important human services, especially those that are “shovel-ready,” said Glenn Kuper, communications director for Gregoire’s budget office.

The capital budget, funded with proceeds from the sale of bonds, is one of three spending plans that Gregoire and the Legislature will enact this year. The others cover day-to-day state government operations and transportation.

It’s received little attention thus far as the governor and lawmakers are keenly focused on the predicted $5.7 billion shortfall in the operating budget. Gregoire is proposing more than half the amount be saved by cuts in state spending.

During the upcoming session, the capital budget may prove to be the least controversial, as it is a source of aid for undertakings throughout the state.

In Everett, she’s seeking $1 million for the Dawson Place Child Advocacy Center for sexually and physically abused children and their caregivers. The money is to help the nonprofit purchase a downtown building as a permanent home.

She’s also seeking $1 million for a Visual Arts Education Center for art exhibits, classes and workshops, and art production. It is an effort pushed by the Arts Council of Snohomish County.

Another $500,000 is proposed for developing Village Theater’s KIDSTAGE in the former Key Bank building at the corner of California Street and Wetmore Avenue.

Everett and Edmonds community colleges are in line for aid in Gregoire’s plan.

Everett Community College could receive roughly $30 million, of which $25 million is for replacement of the gymnasium with a new student fitness and health center. It also would get $1 million to design a 69,350-square-foot building to replace its existing Index Hall complex.

Edmonds Community College would get around $10 million, half of that for a new structure to house its new Allied Health and Construction Industry trades program.

Cama Beach State Park, which has proven a huge hit since opening last year, could be in line for another $3.2 million for additional work on cabins and visitor amenities.

Several projects are proposed at the state prison complex in Monroe, including money to install new water lines, close the sewer lagoon and install a new sewage treatment system.

Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, said these projects should prevent a recurrence of the leaks and spills that occurred in the last couple years.

The state Department of Corrections paid $220,000 to Monroe for 19 million gallons of water lost through a leaky pipe at its prison complex between September 2006 and May 2007.

Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.