Capital budget funds WSU top priorities

A two-year construction budget agreement reached by the Legislature funds WSU’s top capital priorities to build an Academic Building at the Everett University Center and to design the Plant Sciences Building on the Pullman campus.

The agreement, embodied in House Bill 1115, passed the House with a vote of 96-2 and the Senate with a vote of 44-1.

The $54.6 million provided for the WSU Academic Building at the Everett University Center allows the university to begin construction of the facility and address the Center’s need to house current and projected degree programs by WSU and its partner institutions.

Full funding for WSU’s $6.6 million request to design the Plant Sciences Building on the Pullman campus will continue progress toward the research and education complex of interconnected facilities that support interdisciplinary collaboration among the institution’s leading scientists. The project also would provide modern lab space for university researchers in horticulture, plant pathology, plant biochemistry and crop and soil sciences.

The budget also provides $30.3 million to renovate historic Troy Hall in Pullman and $400,000 for predesign of a new Academic Building at WSU Tri-Cities.

The Legislature yesterday approved a compromise operating budget for the next two years. Gov. Inslee signed both budget bills late Tuesday night.