Legislative leaders on Friday released a 2023-25 capital budget agreement that fully funds almost the entire WSU request. It includes the following:
- $40 million for minor works preservation projects to address deferred maintenance needs across the WSU system.
- $13 million for minor works program projects across the WSU system to fund small scale renovation and equipment purchases.
- $40 million to match philanthropic funds to build a new student services building for the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture in Pullman.
- $22 million to renovate parts of Eastlick, Abelson and Bustad halls on the Pullman campus in anticipation of the future replacement of Heald Hall.
- $7 million to design a new Team Health Education Building at WSU Spokane to provide simulation training space for health sciences students.
- $10 million to begin a renovation of the Knott Dairy Center in Pullman.
- $8 million to renovate two floors of Bustad Hall in Pullman to support the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Simulation-Based Education program.
- $5 million to support efforts to meet the state’s new clean building standards.
In addition, $1 million was provided to support improvements at WSU’s Lind Dryland Research Station and the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser. The only project not funded was a $10 million space optimization project for the Pullman campus to consolidate library collections and free up space in the core of campus to be repurposed.
The House and Senate are expected to approve the negotiated agreement and send it to the governor for signature before Sunday’s scheduled adjournment of the 2023 legislative session.