OLYMPIA — The state might cover much of the cost of building the proposed Community Recovery Center in Lynnwood.
Senate Democrats penciled in $12 million for the project in their proposed supplemental capital budget released this week.
It’s one of a handful of Snohomish County undertakings getting financial support in the spending plan.
There’s $1 million for the Evergreen Recovery Center’s residential treatment facility in Everett and $300,000 for Interfaith Family Shelter in Everett, which offers a variety of programs for unsheltered people and families.
Also recommended are $300,000 to the Snohomish teen center, $206,000 to the Edmonds Boys & Girls Club and $1.5 million to the Darrington Wood Innovation Center.
Overall, the capital budget proposes spending nearly $1 billion across the state to construct housing, make schools seismically safe, expand broadband, improve drinking water in multiple communities and reduce water pollution from treatment facilities.
In Snohomish County, the mental health center in Lynnwood could receive the single largest earmark.
It will cost an estimated $17 million to build. Snohomish County has pledged $3 million. Backers hope to snare $2 million in state grants plus what is received through the capital budget.
Once finished, it will be a wing of the city’s Community Justice Center currently under construction. The justice center will house the police department, misdemeanor court and a new jail.
Rep. Lauren Davis, D-Shoreline, who is leading the effort to secure state funds, made the case in a series of meetings with Sen. David Frockt, D-Seattle, the lead author of the capital budget.
“I was extremely happy,” she said when she saw the sum. “It speaks to his heart for this community’s and this population’s need for behavioral health services.”
The Senate could vote on the capital budget as early as next week.
Meanwhile, on Monday, House Democrats will release their capital budget proposal. It, too, is expected to contain money for the recovery center, though Davis said she did not know if it would match the Senate.
Once each chamber passes their respective version, negotiations will begin to reconcile any differences.
The legislative session is scheduled to end March 10.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dospueblos.
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