Governor signs capital construction budget that invests in King county priorities

Sen. David Frockt, D-46
including Lake Forest Park, Kenmore

Budget includes Town Center to Burke Gilman Trail Connector (Lake Forest Park): $500,000

On Tuesday, Gov. Jay Inslee signed a $4.9 billion two-year capital construction budget that invests in Seattle’s people and priorities, including housing, healthcare, early learning and the environment.

“The Seattle area is growing and changing rapidly, and with that change we must provide the necessary supports to build a modern city that is welcoming to all,” said Sen. David Frockt, vice chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the Senate’s lead capital budget writer. 

“This capital budget supports that vision, investing in the areas that will help our city and the surrounding areas thrive.”

Statewide, the budget provides $175 million in affordable housing investments, the second highest in state history. This allocation includes $35 million in permanent supportive housing to help address those living with substance use disorders and experiencing behavioral health crises.

The supportive housing investments complement a $117 million investment in community behavioral health. In Seattle, this includes $6 million for a new Downtown Emergency Service Health Clinic, $371,000 for SeaMar Community Health Centers Behavioral Health expansion, and $2.2 million for the Virginia Mason Acute Stabilization.

Additionally, $33 million is provided to the University of Washington Medical Center to begin work on a new 150 bed behavioral health teaching hospital facility. This project will revolutionize behavioral health care in Washington state by providing a skilled workforce and an increased treatment capacity.

Continuing the focus on improves behavioral health facilities, the capital budget provides $500,000 to Harborview Medical Center for behavioral health enhancements.

The budget also provides $28.5 million for the early learning capacity grant program —including $1.5 million specifically for the Roosevelt Child Care Center in Seattle.

A record $1.04 billion is invested in the School Construction Assistance Program, which provides grant funding for school districts throughout the state.

The budget also invests in a number of projects related to salmon and orca recovery including nearly $50 million for the Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration Program (PSAR) and $26 million in the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board, addressing local, upstream culverts.

The following projects are funded in the 46th District:

46th Legislative District: $9.636 million

• NorthHaven Affordable Senior housing Campus (Seattle): $1 million
• Lake City Community Center Replacement (Seattle): $2 million
• Outdoors for All (Seattle): $1 million
• WA Poison Control IT (Seattle): $151,000
• Log Boom Park Waterfront Access and Nature Viewing (Kenmore): $405,000
• Squire's Landing Waterfront and Open Space Access (Kenmore): $500,000
• Twin Springs Park (Kenmore): $155,000
• Town Center to Burke Gilman Trail Connector (Lake Forest Park): $500,000