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
Capital Budget

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.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 22 members: Representatives Fromhold, Chair; Ormsby, Vice Chair; Schual-Berke, Vice Chair; McDonald, Ranking Minority Member; Newhouse, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Blake, Chase, Dunshee, Eickmeyer, Flannigan, Goodman, Hankins, Hasegawa, Kelley, McCune, Orcutt, Pearson, Pedersen, Sells, Skinner, Strow and Upthegrove.

Summary of Recommendation of Committee On Capital Budget Compared to Recommendation of Committee On Agriculture & Natural Resources:

No new changes were recommended.

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 is a beautiful building that was built during the depression and was given to the Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks), but is now caught in limbo because Parks has not been funded to support the seminary. Parks is now looking into public/private partnerships, which is opposed by the community. The building is deteriorating and is on the Washington Heritage Register and is truly a wonder and a precious asset of the state and should be protected for public use. We need to stop the deterioration and this bill will determine the cost of building repairs, which could then be used to raise private funds.
The fiscal note is incorrect because it should include the cost for permitting and architectural costs in addition to engineering costs for a total cost of $400,000.

(Neutral) The seminary building is deteriorating and is on the Washington Heritage List. The building has earthquake damage and this bill would determine the cost to repair the structure.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Kagi, prime sponsor; Mike Murphy, Washington State Treasurer; Ray Benish and Manny Mankowski, Citizens for Saint Edwards Park; and Jim King, Citizens for Parks and Recreation.

(Neutral) Fred Romero, Washington State Parks and Recreation.