Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Capital Budget Committee |
SSB 5887
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. |
Brief Description: Authorizing longer leases for property at the former Northern State Hospital site.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Government Operations & Security (originally sponsored by Senators Pearson and Ranker).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/17/15
Staff: Steve Masse (786-7115).
Background:
Department of Enterprise Services.
The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) provides lease procurement services to most state agencies. The DES is currently authorized to enter into leases for up to 10 years. Leases provided by the DES for over 10 years are subject to approval by the Director of the Office of Financial Management.
Northern State Hospital.
The Northern State Hospital (Hospital) was established in 1909. It is located in Sedro Woolley and began taking mentally ill patients in 1912. The Hospital closed in 1973. Approximately half of the 44 buildings are part of a nationally recognized historic district. Over the past 10 years, the DES has spent $7.2 million from lease payments on maintenance. The DES has invested nearly $4 million in capital funding for repairs, such as new roofs, fire alarms, sewer and storm-sewer repairs, upgrades to the domestic water system, and elevator repairs.
Part of the Hospital is being used as a Job Corps facility and drug treatment center. The facility is currently known as the North Cascades Gateway Center and is managed by the DES. Currently, the 953-acre site is divided into two parcels: a state-owned 227-acre parcel of land where the Hospital campus is located; and a county-owned 726-acre parcel surrounding the campus. The parcel contains fields, forest, and the Hansen Creek salmon recovery habitat. The county-owned portion was purchased in 1991 and turned into a county park called the Northern State Recreation Area. The state's income from those tenants averages $2.6 million annually.
Summary of Bill:
The DES is authorized to enter into leases at the Hospital for up to 60 years.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.