Senate budget assigns funds to South Sound projects

The Senate capital budget revealed Tuesday includes money for several South Sound projects — including $3 million in extra money for the Heritage Center building expected to begin construction in 2010 on the bluff overlooking Capitol Lake.

That funding, which comes out of a state convention center account that the House would use to build more low-income housing statewide, is among the differences between the two legislative chambers as they work toward a budget agreement and adjournment March 13.

Sen. Karen Fraser, D-Thurston County, said the extra Heritage Center money covers some rising costs for the hillside project, as well as lower-than-predicted revenue from a new document-filing fee. The hillside project combines the State Archives with a visitor center and executive offices.

Budgets on same page

The House and Senate agree on other major issues, most importantly to provide $50 million in bond financing to cover the state share of an Army Corps of Engineers flood-control project along the Chehalis River.

That project's funding includes $2.5 million earmarked for a basinwide or big-picture planning effort along the Chehalis, said Fraser, who wrote the $107 million supplemental capital budget. The House has a similar provision.

The Senate funds several other South Sound projects:

• $2 million for the purchase and upgrade of the former Perry Street child care center in west Olympia for renovation into a new Capitol Campus child care center; the House also funds this.

• $1,985,000 to purchase the Pro-Arts building, at Washington Street and 11th Avenue in Olympia; the House also funds this, and child care activists hope it can be used for another child care center near the Capitol.

• $4.4 million for the Tenino sewer project, which the House and Gov. Chris Gregoire also provide financing for.

• $100,000 for the Bigelow House renovation in Olympia; the House also funds this.

• $207,000 for upgrades and maintenance to the Washington State Capital Museum in Olympia; the House also funds this.

• $1,983,000 for modernizing the Daniel J. Evans Library at The Evergreen State College; the house also funds this.

• $10 million for renovating the John O'Brien Building, which holds House offices at the Capitol Campus, and $11 million for an east-wall rebuild at the Department of Ecology's headquarters; the House provides for these projects, both through alternative financing.

The capital budget is scheduled for passage by the full Senate on Thursday, the first step toward negotiations with the House on a single plan.