Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, recently requested $44 million from the House Appropriations Committee for 15 major projects around Southwest Washington.
The projects focus on large-scale infrastructure upgrades, including $4 million for the city of Vancouver’s Heights District project and $5 million for the Port of Vancouver’s Terminal 1 Redevelopment Project.
“I selected these projects because they’re going to have a real, tangible impact on the lives of everyone in those communities,” Perez said in a press release. “I look forward to seeing this process through and getting Southwest Washington the investments it needs and deserves.”
Perez requested the maximum number of projects for Community Project Funding.
If granted, the city of Vancouver would use the $4 million for improvements to the intersection of Mill Plain Boulevard and MacArthur Boulevard, according to Patrick Quinton, the city’s economic development director.
“This project will be the first investment in infrastructure in the Heights and is intended to kick-start development in the coming years,” Quinton said. “These investments will improve the safety of the intersection and provide safer multi-modal connectivity throughout the area.”
Work on the intersection is set to begin in summer of 2024 and will add a dedicated right-turn lane and a four-way stop at the MacArthur Boulevard and Blandford Drive intersection, along with a new pedestrian and bike pathway and new pavement, according to Quinton.
The biggest request was $5 million for the Port of Vancouver, which is in the process of redeveloping its Terminal 1 facilities.
Perez also requested $3 million for the city of Washougal to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant.
The House committee will consider funding requests and release a plan in the next few weeks.
