The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission), which consists of seven Governor-appointed citizen members, helps guide the policies that steer the Washington State Parks agency. The Commission oversees state park management, enforces usage rules, ensures public access, develops facilities and trails, and may grant leases and concessions. Under the leadership of a director appointed by the Commission, the agency handles the practical implementation of these policies as well as managing daily park operations. Commission leases and concessions must be renegotiated at five-year intervals and the Commission may sell or exchange land that it determines cannot be advantageously used for park purposes.
In 1977 Washington acquired Saint Edward State Park from the Seattle Catholic Archdiocese, which had sited a school and seminary on the property. Today, Saint Edward State Park—situated between Kenmore and Kirkland—encompasses 326 acres of buildings, recreational facilities, and outdoor spaces, including several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2016 the Department of Commerce (Commerce), in consultation with the Commission, was directed to conduct a study on the economic feasibility of potential public or nonprofit uses of the seminary building at Saint Edward State Park. Leases at Saint Edward State Park are limited to the main seminary building, pool building, the gymnasium, adjacent parking lots, and associated nearby property.
In 2016 the Commission was authorized to enter into a lease for property at Saint Edward State Park for up to 62 years provided that: (1) there was approval from at least five Commission members; and (2) the Commission found that the Commerce study failed to identify an economically viable public or nonprofit use for the property that is consistent with the Commission's mission and could proceed on a reasonable timeline. All other parkland concessions or leases exceeding 50 years were prohibited and all leases exceeding 20 years required the unanimous consent of the Commission.
In 2020 the maximum lease term for all other state properties was extended from 50 years to 80 years. Property leases exceeding 20 years were made subject to approval from five Commission members instead of a unanimous vote.
The maximum lease length for Saint Edward State Park is increased from 62 years to 80 years.
The requirement that leases at Saint Edward State Park are limited to the main seminary building, pool building, the gymnasium, adjacent parking lots, and associated nearby property is removed.
The substitute bill restores the requirement that leases at Saint Edward State Park are limited to the main seminary building, pool building, the gymnasium, adjacent parking lots, and associated nearby property.
(In support) The seminary building at Saint Edward State Park has been used for a variety of purposes over the years, but it had to close due to escalating maintenance costs. Following years of neglect, Saint Edward State Park has become a major tourist attraction because the Washington legislature extended its maximum lease length, which made it more attractive to outside investment. As a result, a private real estate developer was willing to invest far more than the Commission could alone allocate. Long-term leasing is an important tool to attract outside investment to renovate and maintain parks. Therefore, the maximum lease length should be extended for Saint Edward State Park.
(Opposed) None.
Representative Shelley Kloba, prime sponsor; Owen Rowe, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, Policy and Governmental Affairs Director; and James Daniels, The Lodge at St. Edwards State Park.