$9 million for 23rd district in newly released House capital budget

Big winners include Marine Science Center, Olympic College, YMCA, Kitsap Mental Health, state parks

April 1, 2009

OLYMPIA – The 2009-11 capital budget (HB 1216) proposed by the House of Representatives today (Wed.) includes funding for more than a dozen major construction, renovation and repair projects in Kitsap County’s 23rd legislative district. Several of the House-funded projects are also included in the Senate’s version of the capital budget, meaning their chances of making it to Gov. Chris Gregoire’s desk are very good.

In all, the district stands to receive more than $9 million dollars, with the largest single chunk of that being a $2 million construction grant for the Sophia Bremer Child Development Center at Olympic College. A close second is Illahee State Park, in line for $1,850,000 to upgrade its wastewater treatment facility.

Rep. Sherry Appleton (D-Poulsbo) applauded the full project list, but pointed with a mixture of pride and relief to a half-million-dollar allocation for the Poulsbo Marine Science Center. “The Marine Science Center is a waterfront jewel that benefits the entire Kitsap Peninsula,” she said, “and this support is overdue. I was very disappointed when Center’s grant was cut from the 2008 budget at the last minute, and I wasn’t going to let that happen again.”

Rep. Christine Rolfes (D-Bainbridge Island) noted how these projects are important community builders for the district. “Even during tough times such as these, our state and district are pulling together as a community to invest in unique assets and services. These capital investments will have a lasting, positive effect in the 23rd district.”

Among the other 23rd-district recipients of grants included in the House capital budget are the Central Kitsap YMCA ($800,000), Kitsap Mental Health’s Keller House ($600,000), the Kitsap Girl Scout Center ($205,000) and Fay Bainbridge State Park ($100,000). Appleton and Rolfes are concerned, however, that three of the four state parks receiving capital funds in the 23rd district are also on the state Parks and Recreation Commission’s list of potential closures or transfers, in light of the state’s projected budget deficit. Both lawmakers say they are working hard to save or at least mitigate any adverse actions affecting those parks by the end of the legislative session.

According to an economic study conducted by the University of Washington, the $9 million destined for the 23rd district will generate between 270 and 300 family wage jobs over the next two years. The House Capital Budget Committee has scheduled a public hearing on the plan for Thursday, April 2, with a final committee vote set for Friday morning.

A full list of projects is included below.

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2009-11 Capital Budget:  23rd District
Department of Community, Trade, & Economic Development
Building a Foundation for Discovery (Building for the Arts Grants)	$250,000
Central Kitsap Community Campus YMCA (Youth Recreational Facilities Grants)	$800,000
Kitsap Girl Scout Center (Youth Recreational Facilities Grants)	$205,000
Poulsbo Marine Center (Local and Community Projects)	$500,000
The Keller House Services Center (Building Communities Fund Grants)	$600,000
Department of Ecology
Liberty Bay Watershed Restoration Project (Centennial)	$500,000
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Manzanita Bay Park II (ALEA)	$839,000
State Parks and Recreation Commission
Fay Bainbridge Lower Park Restroom (Facility Preservation)	$100,000
Ford Ward Hazardous Materials Assessment (Facility Preservation)	$30,000
Illahee State Park: Wastewater Treatment Upgrade	$1,850,000
Kitsap Memorial State Park: Park-wide Sewer System	$177,000
Department of Natural Resources
Bremerton (Natural Areas Facilities Preservation and Access)	$80,000
West Poulsbo (Trust Land Transfer)	$780,000
Community & Technical College System
Olympic College (Facility Repairs)	$103,000
Olympic College (Site Repairs)	$256,000
Olympic College: Sophia Bremer Child Development Center	$2,000,000
Total for 23rd District	$9,070,000