<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=192888919167017&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Friday, March 29, 2024
March 29, 2024

Linkedin Pinterest

$9.3M in capital projects sought for region

Waterfront park, Academy among efforts delegation backs

By Lauren Dake, Columbian Political Writer
Published: March 18, 2015, 12:00am

Southwest Washington lawmakers are hoping to carve out money to help the Vancouver waterfront park become a reality, renovate the 142-year-old Providence Academy and complete upgrades to the Washougal community center.

The delegation has teamed up to request more than $9.3 million in capital projects to benefit the region.

“There are some great projects on there, and a lot of pent-up need,” said Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver, speaker pro tempore of the House.

The capital list is often one of the final budgets lawmakers approve before adjourning, but it’s crucial to begin the negotiation process early. With every lawmaker vying to improve his or her portion of the state, Moeller said it’s helpful the bulk of the Southwest Washington delegation has sent a clear message to key budget writers. The capital budget addresses construction needs for state buildings, schools and other government buildings and spaces.

“Obviously, the need exceeds the ability of the budget,” Moeller said, “so some things will fall off.”

The delegation’s largest request is $3 million to go toward constructing a 7.3-acre public park on the waterfront in downtown Vancouver.

Lobbyist Mark Brown, who represents Vancouver in Olympia, said the state’s contribution to the park is crucial and would be joined with contributions from the city, federal government and others.

“We’ve got our hand out … until we find the money to get the critical mass to get this project underway next year,” Brown said. “It’s too important, this is one of the most significant economic development opportunities in the history of Clark County.”

The park is a small part of a $1.3 billion commercial and residential redevelopment in the works for 32 acres of Vancouver’s waterfront.

Lawmakers identified nine key priority projects they are hoping to secure funding for, including: requesting $1.2 million to help build a 11,400-square-foot Clark County Aging Care and Resource Center, $1.2 million to help the Salvation Army expand services to east Clark County by constructing a community center, $1 million for renovation work at Providence Academy, $875,000 to replace the community center serving the Vancouver Housing Authority’s Skyline Crest public housing neighborhood and $300,000 to upgrade the Washougal Senior and Community Center.

Every member of the delegation signed on to a letter outlining the capital goals except Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center. Rivers wrote in an email that one of her top priorities is to secure funding for new treatment beds for adolescents struggling with mental health or chemical dependency issues. The $1.5 million request would expand the number of beds in the region from 16 to 40. She also plans to request $1.5 million to complete a community health and wellness project in La Center, her hometown.

In the previous legislative session, lawmakers could not agree on a capital budget that would have funded more than 100 new classrooms in the Vancouver school district.

Moeller said he’s confident this legislative session that the capital budget will pass. In odd-numbered years, lawmakers tackle the main capital budget. In even-numbered years, they often only pass a supplemental capital budget.

Loading...
Columbian Political Writer