Fircrest Campus and Saint Edward Seminary do well in proposed budget

February 21, 2008

OLYMPIA—House Democrats are proposing a frugal $110 million supplemental capital budget that focuses on priority goals—including the preservation of the Saint Edward State Park Seminary Building in Kenmore and planning for the future of the Fircrest Campus in Shoreline.

“Gov. Chris Gregoire and the Legislature realize that we can only afford to focus on real priorities in capital spending,” said Rep. Maralyn Chase, who serves on the Capital Budget Committee. “Fortunately, we were able to convince budget leaders that the Fircrest Campus and Saint Edward Seminary are very important priorities.”

Rep. Ruth Kagi, D-Lake Forest Park, agreed that declining revenues made it more difficult to secure state dollars for local projects.

“It was a challenge keeping the Fircrest Campus and the Saint Edward Seminary in this budget even after it was pared down because of shrinking revenues,” Kagi said.  "But they heard us and realized that the future of our communities is closely tied to the future of these important institutions.”

Funding for the Fircrest Campus
The House Democrats’ proposed budget includes $270,000 to complete a master plan for the excess property on the Fircrest Campus, which is located in Shoreline.

The master plan is for what has been dubbed the “hybrid option,” which unites elements from three options presented at a public open house last November. The hybrid option would combine a mix of uses for the property, including government offices, public services, open space, and mixed-income housing.

“Officials are making a real effort to harmonize differences of opinion about the future of the Fircrest Campus,” Chase said.  “Frankly, I think there is more work to do, but getting started on planning for the hybrid option is a good step.”

Preserving the Saint Edward Seminary
The budget proposal announced today also includes $2.3 million to preserve the Saint Edward State Park Seminary Building. The money is needed to stop water intrusion that is threatening the structural integrity of the building.

“This is truly an urgent priority,” Kagi said. “We have a situation where water is flowing into the building through windows, gutters and through the bottom floors. It is threatening the long-term survivability of this historic and magnificent local landmark.”

The seminary, along with the surrounding grounds, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  

The proposed funding for the seminary comes on top of $1 million that local lawmakers secured for the building last year, but even more work remains ahead. Budget documents project future costs of $12.2 million to save the structure from being permanently ruined by water damage. 

Housing investments
Chase and Kagi also praised the proposed budget’s investments in housing across the state. The proposal calls for a $50 million increase in the Housing Trust Fund for low-income housing assistance. It also includes $20 million to help low-income housing developers purchase and preserve property, and $20 million for equity loans to nonprofit housing developers.

“We need to get more serious about solving the housing crisis in Washington state,” said Chase. “Shortages of affordable housing will forever change the face of our communities unless we act decisively and soon to address the problem.”

The House is expected to vote Monday on the proposed Capital Budget.