Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) released the following statement after she secured $12.55 million for eight community projects to benefit the South Sound and its residents. Strickland’s local Community Project Funding (CPF) requests passed the House today as part of H.R. 4502, the appropriations minibus package.
“I am grateful the appropriations minibus package included my request for over $12 million for eight vital community projects in the South Sound. From making investments in pedestrian accessibility, transit-oriented development, housing and clean water, to supporting our veterans, at-risk youth, Tribal nations, families and workers – these projects are an investment in equity and help us build back better for all,” said Congresswoman Strickland. “I look forward to seeing this funding in action, and encourage the Senate to pass this bill without delay. Finally, I thank the community partners who worked with me to make this possible.”
Quotes from non-profit and governmental community partners who would receive the CPF funding Strickland secured can be found below:
“I am thankful to Congresswoman Strickland for advancing funding for infrastructure investment that will enhance equity and accessibility in Tacoma. Our plan to construct 400 curb ramps compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act will facilitate better access to transit stops, medical services, and places of employment in underserved areas of our community. With Congresswoman Strickland as our champion for this project, I am very optimistic to see federal funding for this important effort,” said Mayor Victoria Woodards, City of Tacoma.
“Homestead Park lies at the heart of our community, and its redevelopment is vital to the sustained success of our growing downtown. We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Congresswoman Strickland to successfully redevelop the Park in a manner that maintains its tranquil, forested feel while creating space for community festivals and events,” said Mayor Caroline Belleci, City of University Place.
“The Lacey Veterans Services Hub is a one-stop-shop that reduces barriers to services for the 32,000 veterans that call Thurston County home. With Congresswoman Strickland’s help, the City of Lacey will build on its recent investments to expand the footprint of the Hub to better accommodate the over 70 community organizations that offer services in the facility. The Congresswoman’s Community Project Funding will help the City install an elevator to ensure veterans with physical disabilities are able to access services and deploy technology to more efficiently serve veterans, these combined investments will ensure our community’s veterans are able to access the services they have earned and deserve, ” said Mayor Andy Ryder, City of Lacey.
“The Spanaway Transit Center will be the southern terminus of the South Sound’s first Bus Rapid Transit line, which will give the people of Pierce County a fast, reliable way to travel from south Pierce County to downtown Tacoma and beyond,” said Amy Cleveland, Pierce Transit Interim CEO. “It is a critical piece of this project that will provide the next level of transportation in our community.”
“I want to thank Rep. Strickland and her team for taking the time to visit the Nisqually Tribe and learn about the immense housing challenges that we face. This project will help deliver the road infrastructure to develop much needed housing on the Nisqually Reservation. The Tribe raises its hands in gratitude,” said Chairman William Frank III, Nisqually Tribe.
“This funding for a new water connection source is critical to the health and safety of our people. It protects the thriving economy that supports jobs for families in Mason, Grays Harbor, Kitsap and Thurston Counties. We take great pride in being the largest employer of Mason County,” said Chairman Kris Peters, Squaxin Island Tribe.
“Shelton Youth Connection, with Congressman Strickland’s support, will be able to provide supportive housing services for youth and young adults who come from homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Our focus is to help create a supportive system for youth who have system insecurities and need positive guidance, life skills and intensive case management service to remove the barriers and prevent chronic homelessness,” said Susan Kirchoff, MBA, MHS, Executive Director, Shelton Youth Connection.
“CPF assistance for Arivva’s Certified Clerical/Clinical Medical Assistant workforce training program will forever change the lives of marginalized and underrepresented individuals in Parkland, Washington, a service and resource desert. Arivva’s tuition-free job training program prepares adult students for living wage jobs on a sustainable trajectory,” said Dr. Daniel J. Bissonnette, Executive Director, Arivva Center for Arts and Technology.
Learn more about each of the eight CPF projects that were included in the House-passed appropriations package below, in order of dollar amount:
- $3,000,000 for the City of Tacoma’s pedestrian accessibility improvements. This Pedestrian Accessibility Improvement Project will construct 400 curb ramps that have been requested by people with disabilities and where there are identified barriers. This project will construct curb ramps at locations where there is no access between streets and sidewalks for people with mobility issues. This will provide opportunities for people who may otherwise not be able to seek employment.
- $3,000,000 for Pierce Transit’s Spanaway Transit Center and Bus Rapid Transit Station Completion (at Pacific Avenue/SR 7 BRT route’s southern terminus). The Spanaway Transit Center will serve a low-income and high-minority area. Pierce Transit’s service area in Pierce County includes 12 federally recognized Opportunity Zones, which are Census Tracts identified as Low-Income Communities. Six of those Opportunity Zones are served directly with by the BRT route originating from the Spanaway Transit Center. The design of Pierce Transit’s Stream BRT network aligns with the pattern of essential jobs, meaning transit dependent residents will have access to faster, more frequent and easily accessible stations and routes.
- $2,800,000 for the Nisqually Indian Tribe’s Nisqually Housing Development Road. The Nisqually Indian Tribe has developed a long-term plan for sustainable community housing development focusing on completion of infrastructure improvements within a 40-acre parcel of tribal trust land specifically dedicated for housing purposes. The new housing site is centrally located on the Nisqually Reservation, and is adjacent to the Tribe’s new Health Clinic, Elder’s Center, and Public Works facilities. The site will provide space for future development of up to 100 new housing units, including single family and multi-family units, as well as critically needed Elder housing, for low and moderate-income tribal families.
- $1,800,000 for Squaxin Island Tribe’s new water source to ensure it is connected to the existing water system. The funding will go towards a final engineering and construction of connecting a new water source to the Squaxin Island Tribe water system approximately 1.5 miles away. The Squaxin Island Tribe’s current water source is at capacity and diminishing every year. This water source allows for the Squaxin to maintain and build a thriving economy. This project will reap a great return for the region, providing new jobs while preserving existing jobs for families of surrounding counties.
- $500,000 for the City of Lacey’s Veterans Services Hub. The Lacey Veterans Service Hub (LVSH) provides a single-entry point service hub for veterans seeking employment, education, housing, health, and nutrition services by working with more than 70 partners and providers. Funding will allow the LVSH to purchase tablet computers and associated compliant software systems to automate the process of determining which services veterans are eligible for and increase efficiencies for staff, service providers, and volunteers.
- $500,000 for the City of University Place’s Homestead Park redevelopment. With the rezone of the City’s downtown as a regionally designated Urban Center under the State’s Growth Management Act, the City has seen significant new mixed-used, transit-oriented development. Homestead Park is at the center of this development. The park is heavily vegetated and, as a result, suffers from a lack of visibility. The City seeks to address safety concerns raised by the community at large, and of particular concern to residents in nearby apartment buildings. The proposed improvements also will address the need for a more inviting and usable community gathering location in the center of the City’s most dense neighborhood.
- $500,000 for Shelton Youth Connection’s Young Adult Transitional Housing that provides a safe space to connect young adults ages 12 to 24 years old with the supportive services that will help them achieve their best possible outcome. The project includes purchasing and renovating at the currently leased location, providing access to 6,000 additional square feet to create 12 transitional housing living spaces for homeless or at-risk of homeless youth and young adults whom they currently serve.
- $450,000 for Arriva’s (Pierce Center for Arts & Technology) Certified Clinical/Clerical Medical Assistant Training Program. The program is designed to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants. This includes preparing students to assist within the medical environment with patient procedures and administrative duties, with particular emphasis on acquiring proficiency in using the electronic health record systems needed for today’s technologically advanced health care environment, e.g., physicians’ offices, urgent care centers, clinics, and ambulatory care facilities.
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland serves as Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and is the only African-American woman to serve on the House Armed Services Committee. She is one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress and the first African-American to represent the Pacific Northwest at the federal level.
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