State projects on tap for Thurston County

Republicans and Democrats in the state House want to put up a new office building on the east Capitol Campus, but the state Senate may not go along.

It’s among several possible projects for Thurston County as lawmakers look to pass a supplemental capital budget before they adjourn their 60-day session March 10.

Capital budgets award money for one-time spending, such as construction projects and grants to local governments. One budget plan passed the Senate on Friday with bipartisan support. Another version by a bipartisan group of House members was awaiting a vote on the House floor as of Tuesday.

OFFICE BUILDING

PROJECT: A new office building for the Utilities and Transportation Commission and other state agencies, plus a parking garage of at least 400 stalls. It’s intended to be built using extra-strong wood panels known as cross-laminated timber.

LOCATION: The site of the Pro-Arts building at Washington Street and 11th Avenue in Olympia. The garage would be built at 120 Union Ave.

COST: $69 million.

BUDGET: Included by the House but not Senate.

ARMORY DELAY

PROJECT: The two-year capital budget passed last year called for a new “readiness center” to replace the National Guard’s aging Olympia Armory, current headquarters of the 2nd Battalion, 146th Field Artillery Regiment. State officials say federal money didn’t come through for the current budget period, so the project is being pushed back to the 2017-2019 biennium.

LOCATION: Tumwater.

COST: Savings of $39.7 million.

BUDGET: Both House and Senate book the savings from the project’s delay.

MENTAL-HEALTH FACILITY

PROJECT: The former Maple Lane School for juvenile offenders is being remodeled to temporarily house adult criminal defendants needing psychiatric treatment before they can stand trial. The Department of Social and Health Services has tapped a private company to run the 30-bed unit starting April 1.

LOCATION: Grand Mound.

COST: $2 million in House; $2.4 million in Senate.

BUDGETS: Included in both.

This story was originally published March 1, 2016 at 6:59 PM with the headline "State projects on tap for Thurston County."