WA Legislature targets $134M for 2nd CBC dorm, arts center + other Tri-City projects
Columbia Basin College is looking to receive the lion’s share of the money budgeted by the state Legislature for Tri-Cities capital projects in the next two years.
Tri-City lawmakers say more than $134 million of that budget is earmarked for local construction, including about $83 million for the Pasco-based community college.
About $54 million will go to replace CBC’s performing arts center, $18 million to build a 160-bed student housing facility and $10 million for roof repairs or replacement projects.
“(State) budgets are still tentative,” said Elizabeth Burtner, CBC’s assistant vice president for marketing and outreach. “We recognize the effort our legislators are doing in Olympia on the budget. And we appreciate their support for the work and impact of CBC on the educational success of our students and community.”
The Washington state Senate on Monday unanimously passed the $7.3 billion budget, which pays for maintaining state buildings, public schools, higher education facilities, public lands, parks and other state assets.
It’s one of three budgets maintained by lawmakers. The other two cover transportation and operating expenditures.
But before money can be doled out, the House of Representatives need to pass its own version of the bill. The chamber on Tuesday held a first reading of Senate Bill 5195.
If approved, it must be signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson.
CBC housing, arts and repairs
CBC’s performing arts center was originally built in 1971 for $1.8 million. Built by Spokane architect Ken Brooks, its modernist form used 4,000 square feet of concrete.
While several improvements have been made to the building, it’s long overdue to be replaced, say officials.
In 2018, the facility was added to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges’ list for capital improvements, Burtner said.
The new building is budgeted for about $55 million, including construction, architecture, equipment and permitting.
If funding is approved, CBC plans to begin a pre-design process this year. It’s unclear when construction would begin, but completion would be around Fall 2029.
CBC plans to break ground this summer on its second housing facility, named “Polaris” because of its location as the future northernmost building on campus.
The $28 million residential building on the southwest corner of Argent Road and 20th Avenue is expected to open to students for fall quarter 2026.
It will be paid for with capital budget dollars, reserve funds and other revenues. The project is open for bids through April 22.
Each suite will include bedrooms, bathrooms, full-size kitchen spaces and living areas.
Other amenities of the 54,000-square-foot building include study rooms, a lounge area, a multi-purpose space, onsite laundry facilities and a secure bike storage.
Polaris is one of three planned buildings to meet future residential demands. The two other buildings will be built up over the next 20 years.
The college’s lone dorm, Sunhawk Hall, opened in 2017 and is across 20th Avenue near Sun Willows Golf Course.
Other Tri-Cities capital projects
- $40 million for building preservation at Washington State University Tri-Cities
- $4 million for test beds at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- $3.8 million for Three Rivers Recovery Housing
- $1.4 million for Pasco Boys & Girls Club
- $1 million for Columbia Basin Health Association
- $1 million for Benton REA’s wildfire resilience project
- $1 million for the Mid-Columbia Children’s Museum
- $927,000 for the Pasco MLK Jr. Community Center renovation and expansion
- $865,000 for the Prosser Boys & Girls Club
- $750,000 for the Columbia Park East Boat Launch replacement
- $700,000 for grid-scale coordination
- $515,000 for the new Pasco Road 80 Neighborhood Park
- $342,000 for food distribution and storage improvements
- $309,000 for municipal services facility backup power generator
- $280,000 for the Tri-Tech Skills Center HVAC RTU replacement
- $187,000 for AV installation at the Richland Readiness Center
- $88,000 for Tri-Cities Community Health
