Tri-Cities lawmakers highlight $46 million in local projects in approved 2023-25 capital budget
CONTACT: Nick Jacob, Senior Public Information Officer for Rep. April Connors | 360-786-5097
Kelley Payne, Senior Public Information Officer for Rep. Stephanie Barnard | 360-786-7761
Tri-Cities lawmakers highlight $46 million in local projects in approved 2023-25 capital budget
The Legislature this weekend approved Senate Bill 5200, the 2023-25 state capital budget.
The $8.98 billion bill makes significant investments statewide on housing, behavioral health, K-12 schools, and infrastructure.
Lawmakers from the Tri-Cities – Senator Matt Boehnke and Representatives Stephanie Barnard and April Connors – highlighted more than $46 million for local projects,* including:
- $7.5 million for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory;
- $ 6.437 million for infrastructure maintenance and repair at Columbia Basin College;
- $5.05 million for Process Water Reuse Facility in Pasco;
- $5 million for Three Rivers Behavioral Health Center in Kennewick;
- $4 million for Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic in Kennewick;
- $3 million for Gesa Stadium in Pasco;
- $3 million for National Guard Tri-Cities Vehicle Storage Building;
- $2.944 million for National Guard Tri-Cities Readiness Center;
- $1.25 million for the White Bluffs rail replacement;
- $1.122 million for south urban growth area water and sewer extensions in Kennewick;
- $840,000 for Pasco Clubhouse safety modernization;
- $798,000 for a Habitat for Humanity 20-home building project;
- $773,000 for B5 Community Learning Center in Kennewick;
- $750,000 for Pasco Boulevard soccer field;
- $748,000 for Military Department facilities minor works program;
- $700,000 for Department of Corrections roof replacement in Kennewick;
- $350,000 for The Richland Players community theater;
- $350,000 for the renovation and addition to The Richland Players theater building;
- $300,000 for Safe Harbor Support Center in Kennewick;
- $258,000 for Kennewick Kiwanis Playground;
- $250,000 for the MLK Jr. Resources and Technology Center in Pasco;
- $200,000 for myTRI Agricultural Innovation Center in Pasco;
- $155,000 for downtown Pasco North Plaza; and
- $54,000 for Tri-Tech Skills Center.
*The list includes all projects in the Tri-Cities area, which encompasses district 8 and parts of districts 9, 15, and 16.
“The capital budget is about taking just a little bit of the money that our taxpayers send to Olympia, and bringing it back home, where we can invest it in improving our infrastructure, bettering our quality of life and creating good-paying jobs for our people,” said Boehnke, R-Kennewick. “I am very pleased that this bipartisan budget invests heavily in the Mighty Eighth.”
“Like my legislative colleagues, Sen. Boehnke and Rep. Connors, I'm thrilled about what we've accomplished in this capital budget,” said Barnard, R-Pasco. “It's gratifying to see our region's hard-earned tax dollars come back as worthy construction investments. And, this budget isn't simply about the dollars, it's about planning for the future. Many of these projects, like the myTRI Agricultural Center, will help provide a better economic future for generations to come.”
“I am proud of the investments we were able to secure for the Tri-Cities area,” said Connors, R-Kennewick. “The capital budget was the result of a collaborative effort to put tax dollars to work in our local communities. These dollars will provide jobs, finance needed repairs and maintenance of buildings, and help fuel our local economy. As a huge supporter of the arts, I am particularly happy about the funding for the historic Richland Players building.”
