HB 1172

HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1172

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:
Agriculture & Natural Resources

Title: An act relating to gathering information about Saint Edward state park.

Brief Description: Evaluating the seminary building at Saint Edward state park.

Sponsors: Representatives Kagi, B. Sullivan, Ericks, Chase, O'Brien, Springer, Goodman, Hudgins and Wallace.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 15 members: Representatives B. Sullivan, Chair; Blake, Vice Chair; Kretz, Ranking Minority Member; Warnick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dickerson, Eickmeyer, Grant, Hailey, Kagi, Lantz, McCoy, Newhouse, Orcutt, Strow and VanDeWege.

Background:

The State Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) has authority to care, charge, control, and supervise all parks and parkways.

Saint Edward State Park is a 316-acre day-use park with 3,000 feet of freshwater shoreline at the north end of Lake Washington in Kenmore. In the late 1920s, the archbishop of Seattle donated the property to the Diocese of Seattle for use as a seminary by the Sulpician Order of Catholic Priests. In 1931, Saint Edward Seminary was constructed. In the fall of 1977, the diocese sold 316 acres, including the seminary, to the state for use as a state park. In 1978, the property was dedicated and received its current name.

Summary of Bill:

The Commission will conduct or hire a full engineering and architectural evaluation of the seminary building at Saint Edward State Park. At a minimum, the evaluation will identify the repairs required to slow the deterioration of the seminary building and the repairs needed for safety purposes. In addition, the evaluation must identify which repairs would be necessary for the seminary building to be used for purposes other than recreational occupancy. The Commission will report on the evaluation to the Legislature by January 1, 2008.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The seminary building is of significant value to the state, and yet it is falling apart. An engineering study is needed to evaluate the deterioration of the building in order to move forward with public-private partnerships. The seminary building needs to be stabilized and preserved and the preservation of the building is a state obligation. There are several ideas for the use of the building for uses other than recreational purposes. The Commission could manage a report in about four to six months on the initial engineering study. To fix the exterior of the building, the estimated cost is approximately $4.5 million.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Kagi, prime sponsor; Ray Bennish and Ann Hurst, Citizens for Saint Edward; Fred Romero, Washington State Parks; Jim King, Citizens of Parks and Recreation; and Dr. Colleen Ponto, Saint Edward Environmental Learning Center.