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Spokane Projects Receive Funding In Locke Budget

Chris Mulick Staff writer

Spokane projects fared well in the 1997-99 capital budget that Gov. Gary Locke proposed Tuesday.

While actual construction money was hard to come by, three of the area’s four “priority” projects, as identified by city and chamber of commerce officials, would receive at least some design money.

The money is earmarked for:

Cheney Cowles Museum, which would get $1.2 million to design its proposed $19 million addition.

Locke did not fund an additional museum request for $700,000 for exhibit planning and design.

The Joint Center for Higher Education, which would get $375,375 to fill out the $1.7 million needed for design of a $31 million Health Sciences Building on its Riverpoint campus. The facility would house programs from Eastern Washington University and Washington State University.

The center also would receive $1.6 million to purchase land near the middle of the campus for future expansion and could borrow another $8.5 million through the state treasurer’s office for acquisition of a building for future office space.

A state archives building, which would get $500,000 to design a proposed $4.2 million state archives building on the Riverpoint campus.

Mirabeau Point, a proposed community center in the Spokane Valley, was the only “priority” project that didn’t receive any money. Organizers sought $1.8 million for design work.

Locke’s budget also includes no design money for an expansion of the Spokane Convention Center. That was expected, however, because a study to determine the need, site and cost won’t be completed until June.

“It sounds like most of our priorities are included,” said Dan Kirschner, public affairs director for the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce. “I’d like to be batting .750 on a regular basis.”

Locke also proposed spending $692,000 for the design of a planned $9.2 million addition to the health-sciences building at Spokane Community College.

If the Legislature approves Locke’s proposed design money, the projects are likely to eventually receive construction funding.

“There’s good rationale in a budget process for just-in-time funding,” said Sen. Jim West, R-Spokane, referring to budgeting design money first. “That sets you up for greater expenditures in future years.”

Under Locke’s 10-year plan, more than $50 million would be allocated for Spokane-area construction projects during the 1999-2001 biennium.

Terry Novak, director of the Joint Center for Higher Education, was disappointed that Locke’s budget includes only design money for the center’s proposed Health Sciences Building. That would delay the start of construction at least two years, he said.

Former Gov. Mike Lowry’s budget for the 1997-99 biennium had proposed to pay for the entire project at once.

Construction would occur in two phases over a period of four years under Locke’s plan. The core of the building would be constructed first, while teaching labs would be added later.

Novak said constructing the building in two phases increases the chance the project won’t be completed.

“It doesn’t make much sense to me to separate that building into two pieces,” he said.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: FUNDING CUTS A sampling of the proposed funding cuts included in Gov. Gary Locke’s 1997-99 budget plan: Eliminates the Teen Suicide Project: $1 million budget. Cuts Children’s Hospital grants: $1.9 million. Cuts the American Indian Health Plan: $200,000. Imposes a $10 co-payment for able-bodied adults in the Medical Assistance program, allowing the state to reduce its share: $6.5 million. Cuts Department of Health Emergency Medical Services grants to local agencies: $220,000. Cuts AIDSNETS education grants to local agencies: $843,000. Cuts the International Trade Program reduction: $274,000. Reduces tourism marketing: $302,000. Eliminates Public Broadcasting grants: $208,000. Reduces the Washington Technology Center Contract by five percent: $303,000. Cuts operations in the governor’s office: $154,000. Cuts the Military Department’s administrative budget: $443,000. Cuts the Corrections Department’s administrative budget: $2.7 million. Cuts the Ecology Department’s administrative budget: $808,000. Reduces expenses of the Columbia River Gorge Commission: $12,000. Imposes day-use parking fees at state parks: Generates $3 million in revenue. - Associated Press

This sidebar appeared with the story: FUNDING CUTS A sampling of the proposed funding cuts included in Gov. Gary Locke’s 1997-99 budget plan: Eliminates the Teen Suicide Project: $1 million budget. Cuts Children’s Hospital grants: $1.9 million. Cuts the American Indian Health Plan: $200,000. Imposes a $10 co-payment for able-bodied adults in the Medical Assistance program, allowing the state to reduce its share: $6.5 million. Cuts Department of Health Emergency Medical Services grants to local agencies: $220,000. Cuts AIDSNETS education grants to local agencies: $843,000. Cuts the International Trade Program reduction: $274,000. Reduces tourism marketing: $302,000. Eliminates Public Broadcasting grants: $208,000. Reduces the Washington Technology Center Contract by five percent: $303,000. Cuts operations in the governor’s office: $154,000. Cuts the Military Department’s administrative budget: $443,000. Cuts the Corrections Department’s administrative budget: $2.7 million. Cuts the Ecology Department’s administrative budget: $808,000. Reduces expenses of the Columbia River Gorge Commission: $12,000. Imposes day-use parking fees at state parks: Generates $3 million in revenue. - Associated Press