WASHINGTON, D.C.—Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) requested $42,399,656 for fifteen local projects in the Fiscal Year 2025 spending bill. Larsen submitted the requests to the House Appropriations Committee as the Committee begins work on legislation to fund the federal government.
“My priority in shaping spending bills is to invest in Northwest Washington communities,” said Larsen. “I will continue to work closely with community leaders and stakeholders to secure critical funding to create more jobs, build better infrastructure, and break down barriers to and improve vital services residents rely on.”
For the fourth year in a row, the spending bill will include earmark funding for community projects that local leaders and stakeholders identified as critical to their communities. Larsen secured more than $19.3 million for fifteen Second District projects in the FY24 spending package, which was signed into law in March.
WA-02 Community Project Funding Requests
Larsen requested the following earmarks to invest in Northwest Washington communities:
Investing in a Cleaner, Greener, Safer and More Accessible Transportation System
- City of Everett’s Holly Roundabout: This project will be used to design and construct a roundabout at 100st Street and Holly Drive in Everett. ($5,040,000)
- City of Lynden’s Pepin Flood, Agriculture, Salmon and Safety Transportation (FASST): This project will support design completion and construction of the Pepin Parkway Bridge as part of the city’s FASST project. ($3,088,000)
- Community Transit’s Zero Emission Buses for Fleet Transition: This project will enable Community Transit to purchase three battery electric buses with chargers to replace diesel buses that are beyond their expected useful life. ($3,000,000)
- Skagit Transit’s Maintenance Operations and Administration Facility: This project will support construction of phases two and three of the maintenance operations and administration facility. ($3,000,000)
- City of Oak Harbor’s The Center in Oak Harbor Parking and Accessibility Improvements: This project will reconfigure and expand the parking lot by The Center in Oak Harbor, moving the parking entrance, improving pedestrian access and making all sidewalks and parking areas ADA-compliant. ($450,000)
Investing in Community Services
- Lummi Indian Business Council’s Lummi Detox Center: This project will support construction of a stabilization and withdrawal management facility for the Lummi Nation to provide stabilization, culturally attuned care and aftercare, recovery treatment and whole family support for Tribal members impacted by the opioid crisis. ($10,430,485)
- City of Edmonds’s Food Bank and Community Engagement Space: This project will support an expanded facility for Edmonds Food Bank, including increased food bank space, a commercial kitchen, an urban garden and engagement spaces for community partners. ($2,200,000)
- City of Bellingham’s Bellingham Central Library Renovation: This project will support exterior renovation of the Bellingham Central Library, including updated windows, upgraded main and children’s entrances, and a refreshed plaza. ($2,000,000)
- Whatcom County and Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County’s (DVSAS) Douglas Building Preservation: This project will support the renovation of a building used by DVSAS to serve survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. ($919,600)
- Orcas Senior Center’s Roof Replacement: This project will repair the failing roof of the facility, ensuring seniors can continue to access services. ($131,250)
Investing in Education and Workforce Development
- Edmonds College and Latino Educational Training Institute’s (LETI) Incubator for Family Success: This project will establish a comprehensive community center that includes a cultural retention and arts center, vocational school, commercial kitchen, deli-specialty store and child care circles. ($3,755,447)
- Edmonds School District’s Meadowdale and Edmonds-Woodway High Schools, and Meadowdale Middle School LED Lighting Retrofits: This project will retrofit existing fluorescent lighting at the three schools with LED lighting, which will reduce energy usage by 30 percent. ($2,234,474)
- Western Washington University’s (WWU) Shannon Point Marine Center Research Vessel: This project will support acquisition of a new research vessel for WWU marine and coastal science educational and research activities. ($1,490,400)
Investing in Critical Infrastructure
- Island County’s Recycling and Reuse Station: This project will build a new solid waste transfer station that will significantly enhance the efficiency of the county’s waste management processes, reducing costs for local rate payers and mitigating associated impacts to public health, safety and the environment. ($2,800,000)
- Port of Edmonds’s North Portwalk and Seawall Reconstruction: This funding will support the demolition of the old administration building to open the waterfront for a public plaza and support electrical upgrades, including a boat charging station and upgrades to support future electrification. ($1,860,000)
What WA-02 Community Leaders and Stakeholders Are Saying
Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin on the Holly Roundabout Project: “I want to thank Representative Larsen for continuing to advocate for Everett’s infrastructure needs. The Holly Roundabout Project will help with traffic circulation on Holly Drive and 100th Street SW while also improving pedestrian and bicycle safety, which is crucial for an area in such close proximity to transit, schools, affordable housing and the Paine Field airport.”
Lynden Mayor Scott Korthuis on the Pepin Flood, Agriculture, Salmon and Safety Transportation (FASST) Project: “The Pepin FASST project is a crucial initiative to lower the risk of basin-wide flooding, protect agricultural land, enhance salmon runs, and provide a safer multi-modal transportation system that includes walking, biking, and freight. We are so appreciative to Congressman Larsen for recognizing the value of this critical infrastructure improvement project and helping the City of Lynden address a multifaceted, international problem that is difficult for a small City to manage on its own.”
Community Transit CEO Ric Ilgenfritz on the Zero Emission Buses for Fleet Transition Project: “Snohomish County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the country, and everyone who rides a Community Transit bus instead of driving not only reduces congestion but helps protect our planet. We thank Rep. Larsen for supporting our work to transition to using zero emissions buses, which will take our environmental benefits to the next level.”
Skagit Transit CEO Crystle Stidham on the Maintenance Operations and Administration Facility Project: “Representative Larsen’s commitment to improving public transportation infrastructure is deeply appreciated. This new facility will enable us to provide better service to our community, support economic growth, and ensure that our transit system remains reliable and resilient. We are incredibly grateful for his support.”
Oak Harbor Mayor Ronnie Wright on the Center in Oak Harbor Parking and Accessibility Improvements Project: “The support from Representative Larsen for projects in Oak Harbor over the years is truly appreciated. This project, in particular, will improve safety and access to The Center which has expanded over that last year to include activities for children, adults and seniors alike. Providing safe and modern facilities for residents and visitors is a City priority and Representative Larsen’s sponsorship of this project is especially valued.”
Lummi Nation Chairman Tony Hillaire on the Lummi Detox Center Project: “On behalf of the Lummi Nation, I would like to thank Congressman Larsen for his leadership in combatting the fentanyl crisis and for his support of our efforts to build a secure withdrawal management and stabilization facility. The fentanyl crisis has devastated our region and disproportionately impacted native people. This facility will play an enormous role in the healing of the Lummi people.”
Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen on the Edmonds Food Bank and Community Engagement Space Project: “Edmonds Food Bank serves a critical role in our community addressing the sharp rise in food insecurity. Expanding their reach with this federal funding will allow them to continue their impact, both in Edmonds and our region, making sure that families remain on a healthy path.”
Edmonds Food Bank CEO Casey Davis on the Edmonds Food Bank and Community Engagement Space Project: “This funding is critical for Edmonds Food Bank to address food insecurity effectively and partner with families, ensuring access to both nutritious and culturally familiar foods.”
Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund on the Bellingham Central Library Renovation Project: “Bellingham Public Library is one of the most-used libraries in the state, consistently ranking in the top 10 highest circulation per capita. The Library plays a central role in the civic and social infrastructure of Bellingham, and your investment aligns with our community’s values of promoting education and early learning, supporting families, and enhancing connection and quality of life. This request to fund exterior upgrades is the ribbon around a package that includes significant public and private investment to make this beloved community institution more climate resilient, expansive, modern and welcoming for all community members.”
Whatcom County Health and Community Services Co-Health Officer Dr. Amy Harley on the DVSAS Douglas Building Preservation Project: “Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County is an important long-term partner of the County, providing essential services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and sexual exploitation. Their Douglas Street building is a services hub and its rehabilitation is essential for the sustainable operations of this valuable local nonprofit.”
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County on the DVSAS Douglas Building Preservation Project: “Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County extends its’ deepest gratitude to Congressman Larsen and his team for their efforts in prioritizing funding to preserve our downtown support center. Securing this vital funding guarantees continued access to essential services for individuals experiencing domestic or sexual violence, ensuring survivors have a lifeline to safety, and immediate access to crisis services. Congressman Larsen’s commitment to preserving our downtown support center ensures everyone in our community has access to safety and support, now and for years to come.”
Orcas Senior Center Board Member Tom Eversole on the Orcas Senior Center Roof Replacement Project: “Representative Larsen’s efforts will help fund necessary roof replacement so that the Orcas Senor Center building continues to serve older residents of Orcas Island and provide a gathering place for people of all ages and abilities on the island. We are very grateful to Rep. Larsen for his advocacy and leadership. This is a sound investment in our community’s social and emergency service infrastructure.”
Edmonds College President Dr. Amit Singh on the LETI Incubator for Family Success Project: “Edmonds College is committed to our partnership with LETI in supporting first generation immigrants and their success. This resource center will empower individuals and families by providing assistance with everything from navigating social services to pursuing higher education. I am very thankful to Representative Larsen for his ongoing support of LETI and Edmonds College.”
Founder & CEO of Latino Educational Training Institute Rosario Reyes on the LETI Incubator for Family Success Project: “We are very thankful to Representative Larsen for his consideration and support for LETI’s Incubator for Family Success and to Edmonds College for partnering with us in this endeavor. This new facility will allow the Latino and low-income residents in South Snohomish County to have a dedicated community space for generations to come. A place to share their culture and life events, as well as offices and classrooms for LETI to continue its mission to strengthen and empower Latino families with resources and services to advance educational equity, provide business development training, improve family health, and build economic security.”
Edmonds School District Superintendent Dr. Rebecca Miner on the Meadowdale High School, Edmonds-Woodway High School and Meadowdale Middle School LED Lighting Retrofits Project: “This grant is an incredible support to our district. Upgrading to LED lighting will improve our classrooms and schools and will create an enhanced learning environment for them. LED lighting uses less energy and minimal maintenance which will reduce our overall costs and environmental footprint. With the support of Representative Larsen to make this switch, we are taking steps together to ensure a brighter future for our students and community.”
Western Washington University President Sabah Randhawa on the Shannon Point Marine Center Research Vessel Project: “Western Washington University is grateful for Representative Larsen’s advocacy for a new Shannon Point Marine Center research vessel. If funded, this project will allow for expanded research opportunities through our Marine and Coastal Sciences program. We are excited to expand our capabilities for the next generation of students and faculty to study the Salish Sea and beyond.”
Chair of the Board of Island County Commissioners Jill Johnson on the Island County Recycling and Reuse Station Project: “We are incredibly grateful for Representative Larsen’s leadership and support for Island County. Federal funding for the Island County Recycling and Reuse Station will improve upon and expand the county’s waste removal and recycling capacity, directly enabling growth and increasing environmental resiliency.”
Port of Edmonds Commission President Jay Grant on the North Portwalk and Seawall Reconstruction Project: “We are grateful to Representative Rick Larsen for his support for the North Portwalk and Seawall Reconstruction Project. This request will fund Phase 2 of the project, which is a crucial step that will improve the public’s ability to use the Edmonds waterfront while upgrading critical infrastructure at the marina to support future electrified maritime transportation.”
Edmonds Food Bank CEO Casey Davis on the Edmonds Food Bank and Community Engagement Space Project: “This funding is critical for Edmonds Food Bank to address food insecurity effectively and partner with families, ensuring access to both nutritious and culturally familiar foods.”
SOURCE: Office of Representative Rick Larsen
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
