Health Science Center, Museum Vie For Funds

As lawmakers begin sifting through $1.2 billion in capital budget requests, the Spokane-area legislative agenda is coming into focus.

Legislators have made it clear there will be fierce competition for the nearly $800 million available.

In the mix for Spokane: expansion of Cheney Cowles Museum, a new health sciences building at the Joint Center for Higher Education Riverpoint campus, and a new multi-use education and entertainment campus.

Sen. Jim West, the Spokane Republican who chairs the Senate Ways and Means Committee, wouldn’t say which projects might receive money. But House Capital Budget Committee chairman Rep. Barry Sehlin, R-Oak Harbor, said projects that previously got some state money are likely to take priority.

That could include the Riverpoint building. The project got design money in 1995 from the Legislature and is now ready for construction.

Outgoing Gov. Mike Lowry provided $21 million for the $29.4 million project in his proposed budget. Bruce Botka, a spokesman for Gov. Gary Locke, said the new governor hasn’t decided whether to keep the money in his budget. Any allocation would have to be approved by the Legislature.

The $21 million would be enough to pay for a building to house health sciences programs for Washington State and Eastern Washington universities, but wouldn’t cover the costs of proposed clinic space, teaching labs and a 13,000-square-foot research addition.

Rep. Duane Sommers, R-Spokane, said the project may get only a portion of the money it needs. Sommers also sits on the House Capital Budget Committee.

Joint Center Director Terry Novak is confident that at least the health sciences building will receive construction dollars. “I think we can make a good case,” Novak said.

Officials at Cheney Cowles Museum are asking for state help to build a $30 million addition. Museum director Glen Mason is seeking $19.6 million for the 44,000-square-foot project. Planning money was raised locally and Mason said the rest of the construction money would be too.

The proposal is scaled down from one rejected by lawmakers in 1995 that would have cost $50 million. Mason is hoping the museum will have more success the second time around.

“Those who were there in the last session heard our story,” he said.

The museum would use the space to display more of its collection and to house interactive educational programs for children.

Other capital requests include $1.8 million for planning a community complex at Mirabeau Point and $6.3 million for design and construction of a state archives building in Spokane.

The building would provide space to properly store government records, said Dan Kirschner, director of public affairs for the Spokane Chamber of Commerce.

The Mirabeau Point project calls for a multi-use education and entertainment center west of the new Spokane Valley Mall. The complex would include classrooms used by both Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College, a planetarium, a senior center and space for displays from Cheney Cowles Museum.

Sen. Bob McCaslin, R-Spokane Valley, is optimistic the project will be approved because the center would benefit more people than other projects.

An ice arena and a YMCA facility, all privately funded, already are planned at Mirabeau Point.

Denny Ashlock, chair of Mirabeau Point, Inc., said if the project gets planning money, an additional $15 million to $16 million would be requested in the next biennium for construction.

Topping the city’s legislative wish list is expansion of the Spokane Convention Center. City officials said they likely won’t ask for construction dollars this year.

That’s because the city is only beginning a study to determine the cost, location and benefits of the project. The study won’t be finished until June, after the Legislature is scheduled to adjourn.

“We’ll be working our legislators, letting them know we’re working on this,” said Dave Mandyke, a lobbyist for the city of Spokane. “We just want to have a presence.”

The city’s strategy could change, however, if large West Side projects, such as a new Seattle football stadium, get state money. Then, the city might push for Convention Center funding this year.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: LOCAL PROJECTS Spokane-area leaders are asking the Legislature for state money for these projects: Health sciences building, including clinics, teaching labs and research facilities, at the Joint Center for Higher Education Riverpoint campus $29.4 million Cheney Cowles Museum expansion $19.6 million State archives building $6.3 million Mirabeau Point project $1.8 million Spokane Convention Center expansion Cost not yet determined.