Pasco asks WA Legislature for $51M for projects. Here’s where it wants to spend the money
The Washington state Legislature reconvenes for the 2025 session this week and Pasco is asking lawmakers for help securing about $51 million for city projects.
State Rep. April Connors, Sen. Perry Dozier, Sen. Curtis King, Sen. Matt Boenhke and Rep. Skyler Rude heard a list of priorities from Pasco City Council members, staff and lobbyist Briahna Murray at a meeting last week.
The city’s biggest ask is money for transportation projects.
$35 million: Road 76 overpass
The city’s largest request is $35 million to create the Road 76 Overpass across Interstate 182.
The cost includes $5 million for the design and to buy right-of-way and $30 million for construction. The city is asking the state to fund the full proposed cost of the project.
The overpass is expected to reduce travel distances and bring down congestion on Road 68 and Road 100, and connect commercial and residential areas.
$8 million: Broadmoor crossing
The city needs $8 million for construction of a path and bridge for bikers and pedestrians over I-182 on Broadmoor Boulevard. The corridor is surrounded by homes, schools and businesses.
The city opened a new eastbound roundabout in November south of the interstate. A second roundabout would be built along Broadmoor north of the highway at a later date.
The interchange project is part of a larger $40 million investment the city is making in the area.
$3 million: Highway 12, A Street Study
Pasco would need $3 million to analyze parts of Highway 12 from A Street to Tank Farm/Sacajawea Park Road. The area has increasing freight traffic and seen a growing number of speeders.
With the information from the analysis, the city would determine solutions to improve safety.
Councilmember Peter Harpster said at the meeting the city has Amazon’s support to complete the study.
“The two Amazon distribution centers coming in really led to this study being even more needed than it was before,” he said.
$3.3 million: Lewis underpass demo
The city wants $3.3 million to complete demolition of the historic underpass at the request of BNSF.
The state previously invested in the Lewis Street Overpass project. The 625-foot bridge opened in April to replace a deteriorating underpass.
But the overpass project was riddled with cost overruns — there were 56 change orders totaling $6.8 million on the $42 million project.
The city is currently waiting to hear back on a federal grant for the underpass work. If the city receives the grant, it would need an additional $250,000 to $500,000 from the state.
$900,000: MLK Center
Pasco is working on a $12 million renovation and expansion of the historic Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in east Pasco.
The 22,200-square-foot MLK center is home to the Benton Franklin Head Start learning center and the YMCA of Greater Tri-Cities’ teen room, computer area, weight room and gym where people of all ages play indoor soccer and basketball.
Current available funds include a $3 million federal grant, $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money from the city and a $980,000 Washington state grant that was funded in 2021.
As of October, the city’s plan is to raise another $6 million to nearly double the investment in the center, but with a catch. The project would need to be done in phases.
Phase 1 is currently underway and focuses on the part of the center that houses Benton Franklin Head Start. It also will add ADA-compliant restrooms, new classrooms, a community room, offices, an outdoor play area and landscaping. Phase 1 also will add a new fire suppression line for the building’s sprinkler system, electrical systems, IT and new HVAC.
The city is requesting $900,000 from the state for Phase 2.
The money would allow the city to work on the southwest part of the center and transform the YMCA teen room and computer lab into a library. The city would add ADA-compliant restrooms and create a new central community space and front reception area.
$500,000: Road 80 park
Pasco plans to develop a new neighborhood park at the northwest corner of Massey Drive and Road 80, next to Three Rivers Elementary School. It’s currently a three-acre grass field in an area that the city calls a “park desert.”
The city needs $500,000 for sidewalks and fencing and to add recreational facilities and park amenities. The future park would include a walking path, picnic shelters, playgrounds and sports courts.
Pasco water reuse facility
Located east of US-395 along Foster Wells Road, the Process Water Reuse Facility uses wastewater from local food processors to irrigate 14 city-owned farm circles on 1,900 acres.
The city predicts more processors coming to Pasco and wants the state’s help to buy or lease five more farm circles owned by the Department of Natural Resources or private land owners.
This story was originally published January 14, 2025 at 12:24 PM.
