FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5224

C 62 L 01

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Redeveloping King Street railroad station.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Prentice, Patterson, Haugen, Horn, Oke, Jacobsen and Kohl‑Welles; by request of Department of Transportation).

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background:  The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has been working with the city of Seattle, King County, and private entities to coordinate the renovation of the King Street railroad station in downtown Seattle.  Current renovation plans for the station include its continued use as a train station for Amtrak and freight service, as well as additional use as leased office space.

Summary:  WSDOT is authorized to acquire real property on or around the King Street station building.  WSDOT is authorized to exercise all necessary duties to support and implement the planned renovation and operation of the King Street Station depot.  WSDOT may contract with other public or private entities for the renovation, operation, and maintenance of the facility.

To facilitate tax exempt financing, WSDOT may lease from or contract with public or private entities for the renovation, operation, or maintenance of the King Street railroad station properties.  The leases and contracts must not last longer than 50 years and WSDOT receives title to the property upon expiration of the lease or contract.

The King Street railroad station facility account is created.  All funds appropriated or donated to the King Street railroad station must be deposited in the account. All receipts from departmental transactions associated with the King Street station must be deposited in the account.

Funds deposited in the King Street railroad station facility account must only be used for costs for management of the account, purchase and acquisition costs for King Street railroad properties, maintenance and operating costs of the King Street railroad properties, and capital improvement projects associated with the King Street station.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate46  2

House     79 10

Effective:  April 18, 2001