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October 10, 2023
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As you may know, the state approves three budgets every two years. These budgets (operating, transportation, and capital) fund day-to-day activities, transportation improvements, and infrastructure projects around the state. While much public attention is directed to the operating budget and its issues, including education funding, health care, and wildfire response, it is helpful to also describe the other two budgets. The transportation budget garners less public interest, but its funding is very important to our region. In recent email newsletters, I have focused on operating budget and transportation issues. This fall, I’d like to focus on the capital budget because it funds many significant projects throughout our region.
The Washington State Legislature approved its 2023-2025 Capital Budget during its 105-day session earlier this year. Our 12th District team secured funding for many important building and land projects in the capital budget.
Sno-Valley Senior Center Groundbreaking
 I enjoyed attending the Sno-Valley Senior Center’s groundbreaking of new affordable senior apartments in Carnation in August. In addition to local and county funding toward the project, the senior center received nearly $2 million from the capital budget’s Housing Trust Fund. Shown in this photo (from left) Sno-Valley Senior Center Board President Sara Lambert, Executive Director Kira Avery, King County Councilmember Sarah Perry, Retired Director Lisa Yeager, Carnation City Councilmember Adair Hawkins and Sound Generations CEO Jim Wigfall.
Update on 12th District Capital Projects
In recent years, the 12th District team, which includes Representatives Steele and Goehner, has been able to generate big wins for our region through the capital budget, including the replacement of key infrastructure following tragic wildfires, the expansion of outdoor recreation opportunities that improve our economy and quality of life, and enhancements to key community response systems. Our legislative team, with Rep. Steele serving a key role on the Capital Budget Committee, has been able to leverage the capital budget to successfully fund many of our regional priorities, including the Wells Hall replacement for Wenatchee Valley College, Chelan County Emergency Operations Center, Wenatchi Landing sewer extension, Saddle Rock soil remediation, and a variety of recreation and park facility improvements. With the recent redistricting, the 12th District has expanded into portions of Snohomish and King counties, where we have been able to secure funding for key facilities, including a Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment in Wenatchee, business district septic system improvements in Fall City, water line repair and replacement project in Index, dental clinic for Columbia Valley Community Health in East Wenatchee, and more. For more information, click Capital Budget Documents or the 12th District Project List. Here is an update on just some of the approved capital projects:
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Wenatchee Valley YMCA
 The Wenatchee Valley YMCA is actively planning and designing a new facility near Wenatchee Ave. and 5th Street. The $25 million-plus facility will include an indoor running and walking track, expanded early learning areas, aquatic facilities, youth and adult recreation centers, and more.
The 12th District legislators were proud to support $1 million of funding toward the future Wenatchee Valley YMCA. The current facility consists of two connected buildings built in 1912 and 1926. While the “Y” has delivered great services at this location for over 100 years, a facility of this age presents a number of challenges related to youth activities, safety standards and ADA compliance. The YMCA employs nearly 100 staff members in various full and part-time positions and is a key community stakeholder. To help meet the needs of the growing Wenatchee Valley, the YMCA has been actively planning a new facility as an anchor partner in Chelan PUD’s 5th Street redevelopment project. Designs for the new facility include an indoor running and walking track, expanded early learning areas, an 8,500 square-foot indoor aquatic center with two pools, various youth and adult recreation centers, and more. The new facility is expected to cost over $25 million. As a key partner in the 5th Street redevelopment project, the YMCA has entered into an agreement with the PUD to acquire a portion of its property. The state’s capital budget funding can be applied toward land acquisition, demolition, and site preparation at the Y’s new location. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2024 and take up to 20 months. For more information on the YMCA’s future facility, click here.
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Sultan’s Mountain View Park
 The capital budget includes $500,000 of funding for Mountain View Park in the rapidly growing Sultan basin area in east Sultan. This funding will enable the city to apply for Recreation and Conservation Office grants and support this key phase of the overall $3 million park facility.
It was great to work with the City of Sultan and Mayor Russell Wiita to help secure $500,000 in the 2023-2025 capital budget toward funding Mountain View Park in the rapidly growing Sultan basin area on the eastern portion of Sultan. The overall cost of the project is expected to be approximately $3 million and is still in the visionary process for this 5-acre area owned by the city. Accessing a neighborhood park, rather than travelling along Highway 2 to access parks, will make recreation more accessible for Sultan families. This park will also help to meet growing needs in this expanded community. Plans include a year-round restroom, ADA accessible trail, sidewalks, open meadow, parking lot, signage, and more. The city plans to utilize this state funding as well as its existing park improvement funding to apply for Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office grants to complete the overall park facility. For more information, click here.
Wenatchee Valley Museum
 The Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center is undertaking a significant expansion and redesign project, which is currently in the design phase. Once completed, the modernized museum facility will include a redesigned lobby, expanded exhibits, and many renovated spaces. It will also include a new entrance from Wenatchee’s Centennial Park, currently behind the facility.
The 2023-2025 capital budget includes $1 million for the Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center towards its future expansion and redesign project. The museum’s buildings were built in 1917 and 1937 and lack many modern amenities and basic functionality. The overall plan includes swapping the front and back entrances so that visitors can enter the museum from Centennial Park behind the facility. The remodeled areas will also include a large, light-filled entry lobby, new exhibit space, and restored existing space. The ambitious project is projected to be completed over three phases: planning, design, and construction. The capital funding provided will assist the museum in working to complete its design phase. The project will help preserve this location in the heart of downtown Wenatchee and serve the entire region, including Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan counties. It has the support of many local partners. For more information, click here.
Monroe Municipal Building
 After several years in operation, Monroe’s municipal building will be receiving much-needed improvements. The project will include remodeled council and court facilities, improved access for people with disabilities, fire protection upgrades, and more. It is expected to be completed in late 2025.
The City of Monroe’s municipal building is receiving a significant remodel after several decades in operation. The approximate $17 million project is underway and expected to be completed in late 2025. The city’s facility, which once served as a local car dealership in the 1960s, was first utilized for city services in 1977. It has not received significant upgrades in over 30 years. The council chambers and staff offices will share the facility with the municipal and community courts. The court facilities will also receive improvements for use as a therapeutic court for people experiencing substance use challenges. The remodeled facility will include more efficient service options for community members, enhanced security features for court proceedings, improved access for people with disabilities, fire protection and landscaping upgrades, and more. The facility will result in improved energy and environmental efficiency as recognized through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design “silver” standards. I was proud to sponsor the $1.1 million funding, which had support from all of our 12th District legislators. For more information, click here.
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Snoqualmie Valley Youth Activity Center
 The Snoqualmie Valley Youth Activity Center in North Bend has received support from state and local funds over the years, including generous community support and countless hours of in-kind work. The facility supports local non-profits, outdoor youth organizations, and sports groups.
Legislators from the 5th and 12th Districts were excited to support $232,000 of additional funding in 2023-2025 toward the Snoqualmie Valley Youth Activity Center in North Bend. Previous funding included $361,000 in 2021 and $412,000 in 2019. This amazing facility has been multiple years in the making and one supported from a variety of funds over the years, including multiple installments of state funding and local contributions. The project helps connect the future barn to the existing lodge and provides much-needed storage space to support youth activities. The facility’s usage by youth in the Snoqualmie Valley has been terrific with the main lodge full almost every evening and weekend. The facility is utilized by the entire community, including outdoor youth organizations and local sports groups, for a variety of purposes. The facility supports overnight camping and various events by non-profit youth groups throughout the Snoqualmie Valley. The space can also support larger group events. For more information, click here.
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Saddle Rock Trail Improvements
 Supporting capital projects for our communities is a key part of my job. I’m proud to work alongside my seatmates and local officials to improve our lands and buildings. Seeing the tangible benefits from state funding is very rewarding. A recent project that I supported to enhance the City of Wenatchee’s Saddle Rock trail system was recently completed. This photo shows me in between the saddle rocks overlooking the Wenatchee Valley. To learn more about hiking Saddle Rock, click here.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve
I hope you enjoyed learning about some of the many capital budget projects in our district. If you have any questions about these projects or future efforts, please contact me anytime. To learn more about my legislative efforts on your behalf, please visit my website senatorbradhawkins.org.
Also, my office has been actively working to share information about my Facebook page. You can like and follow me on Facebook @SenatorBradHawkins for my latest updates.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your state senator.
Sincerely,
 Brad Hawkins
State Senator Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District
Website: senatorbradhawkins.org
P.O. Box 40412 | Olympia, WA 98504-0412
(360) 786-7622 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000
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