The Senate’s supplemental budget unveiled Wednesday includes $1 million to help Vancouver’s historic Academy building get a new roof.
The state Legislature is in the midst of a 60-day legislative session. Budgets during the short legislative session theoretically only carve out money to tackle emergencies, such as addressing areas devastated by wildfires.
Sen. Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver, said The Academy’s roof is in such dire shape, it’s an emergency. She was pleased to see the project included.
Mother Joseph built The Academy in 1873 as a school and an orphanage. At the time, 15 years before statehood, it was the largest brick building north of San Francisco.
The Fort Vancouver National Trust recently acquired The Academy, which is across Evergreen Boulevard from the Vancouver Community Library. It is home to offices and a wedding chapel.
Over on the House side, the proposed supplemental budget carves out $500,000 for the Bridgeview Education and Employment Resource Center, a new facility in the Skyline Crest public housing project in Vancouver Heights. The nonprofit aims to help people become self-reliant by helping them find many resources in one place.
Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver, noted that Clark County has done well, considering the proposed budget additions are relatively small this year.
“Less than $9 million for 98 (House) members and we are in for $500,000. Not too shabby,” he said.
