Spokane County would get $92 million for capital projects under Senate budget

OLYMPIA – A $3.5 billion construction budget is moving through the Senate with about $92 million for projects in Spokane County, money that would go to schools, colleges, the state hospital and even an elevator in a senior center.

The spending plan is similar to a $3.5 billion capital budget approved April 2 by the House. Many Spokane projects show up in both budgets but not always with the same amounts.

Both budgets have more than $20 million for infrastructure and facilities preservation at Eastern Washington University, although the Senate’s $1.5 million for minor renovations is $2 million less than the amount set aside by the House. Both have $4.8 million for a science building at EWU, but the House plan has an additional $5.6 million for a second science building.

Both have about $3.9 million for improvements at Eastern State Hospital, but the Senate budget has an extra $1.4 million for a hospital addition with 15 more beds.

Both have $2.4 million for road improvements at Mount Spokane State Park, but the Senate budget would not spend another $8.6 million on two other projects the House proposal has for the park: improving the Nordic area and developing a horse camp, as well as relocating a maintenance facility.

The Senate plan has a change in policy on recreational spending that prompted criticism from an environmental group and a strong response from Senate Republicans when it was introduced this week. The Wildlife and Recreation Coalition said the budget was “gutting” the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program and “cherry picking” projects it would cover. Not so, said Senate Republicans; they want to “pause” most new acquisitions for two years and concentrate on completing projects for properties the state already owns.

The Senate proposal has $8.1 million for NewTech Skills Center to offer training in automotive technology, mobile electronics, robotics engineering and cybersecurity programming. The House proposal sets aside $500,000 for that project in an effort to make it eligible for matching money from other sources.

Both have $5.4 million to help clean up the Marshall Landfill and $1.5 million to buy land near Fairchild Air Force Base that is occupied by trailer parks. The Women and Children’s Free Restaurant and Community Kitchen would get $300,000 in both budgets for major renovations to the kitchen and dining room. The Corbin Senior Center would get $50,000 in the Senate proposal for a renovation that includes an elevator from a special fund for community projects; the center isn’t in the House plan.