OLYMPIA – After weeks of negotiation, the House and Senate have agreed to a supplemental capital budget that provides major project funding in the 28th legislative district, championed by Rep. Christine Kilduff (D-University Place). The budget includes substantial improvements at Western State Hospital, replacing a Water Treatment Plant in Lakewood, a parking lot paving in Fort Steilacoom Park, and student housing at Pierce College.
“Western State Hospital is in serious trouble, and standing by to watch it fail is not an option,” said Kilduff, who also serves on the Capital Budget committee. “I’m committed to making changes to how the hospital is run, but we also need to make sure there is enough space and enough skilled staff to ensure the safety of everyone under our care and our employment.”
Western State will receive $1.95 million in upgrades, $450,000 for a new civil ward, and $950,000 for competency restoration beds.
In addition to Western State upgrades, priority capital projects receiving funding include $1.5 million for the Lakewood Water Treatment Plant that currently serves 61,000 people. The plant needs to be replaced, as it has reached end of life, and is still serving the Ponders Wellfield which was contaminated by dry cleaner solvents over 30 years ago.
Fort Steilacoom Park will receive $257,000 to pave and stripe the secondary gravel parking lot and Pierce College will receive $3 million for student housing.
“I’m very happy to see how much we’re investing in the 28th legislative district. Our community has the right to clean drinking water and by proactively replacing the water treatment plant, we’re avoiding the kind of catastrophe we saw in Flint, Michigan,” added Kilduff.
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