SB 6366

SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6366

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 Senate Committee On:
Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation, February 04, 2008

Title: An act relating to the future of the seminary building at Saint Edward state park.

Brief Description: Creating the Saint Edward seminary building future uses assessment committee.

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 1/28/08, 2/04/08 [DPS-WM].

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6366 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Hatfield, Vice Chair; Morton, Ranking Minority Member; Fraser, Hargrove, Rockefeller, Spanel, Stevens and Swecker.

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 forested trails and 3,000 feet of freshwater shoreline at the north end of Lake Washington in Kenmore. The seminary was constructed in 1931 and used by the Seattle Catholic Archdiocese until 1977. The state purchased the building and grounds from the archdiocese for use as a state park. In 1978 the property was dedicated and received its current name. The seminary building was placed on the National Register of Historic Buildings last year.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): A Saint Edward seminary building assessment committee is created to make recommendations regarding the future uses of the seminary building at Saint Edward State Park.

The committee is composed of local city, county, and neighborhood representatives, an historic preservation representative, a representative with expertise in major building rehabilitation, and representatives of the Commission and Governor's office. The Commission must provide staff for the committee.

The Governor's representative serves as Chair of the committee and must convene the committee by July 1, 2008 and schedule meetings periodically. The committee may enter contracts to assist in the assessment.

The assessment of the Saint Edward Seminary building must include specific information including a summary of the current condition of the building, previous proposals regarding the future use of the building, opportunities to bring private capital and expertise to the building use, and whether the building should be sold.

The committee must be guided by specific criteria in conducting the assessment and developing recommendations. The assessment is to be submitted by November 1, 2008 to the Governor, the Commission, and the Legislature.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): The seminary building future uses assessment committee must conduct an assessment of whether the seminary building and immediate grounds should be sold.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: St. Edward State Park is a state treasure. The park is rich with tradition and history and should be preserved as an investment for future generations. The assessment of the Seminary Building is an important first step in making the right decisions in determining its future potential uses.

CON: The community is opposed to the section of the bill that includes looking at public and private partnerships for the future use of St. Edward Seminary. St. Edward should remain as a state park and any future use of the 84,000 square foot Seminary Building should be compatible with the overall park and not overshadow the park. St. Edward State Park had over 700,000 visitors last year; it is an important part of our state and neighborhood.

OTHER: All of the issues relating to the future uses of St. Edward State Park and the Seminary Building were discussed in depth for two years with the Classification and Management Plan (CAMP). A lot of time, thousands of hours and attendance at numerous meetings, and deliberation went into the management plan; this time and work should be honored. It seems all of that time and energy has been bypassed with this bill.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator McAuliffe, prime sponsor.

CON: Manny Mankowski, Ray Benish, Citizens for St. Edward Park.

OTHER: Rebecca Hirt; citizen.