Adams County projects slated for funding through capital budget
Othello city officials received a grant through the state Legislature’s capital budget to make improvement to the playground in Lions Park, shown in the development plan.
Courtesy graphic
OTHELLO — Upgrades to the Lions Park playground in Othello, money for a new evidence building for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and fiber upgrades to improve broadband access to the Wanapum Village are among the projects included in the 2021-23 capital budget, which was approved by the state Legislature last week.
The ACSO will receive $900,000 to build a new facility in Othello to store and process evidence. Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner expressed appreciation to District 9 legislators, who worked to get the project included in the capital budget.
“It’s very much needed in Adams County,” Wagner said Monday.
In a conversation with Adams County Commissioners in February, Wagner said the current facility was too small and inadequate for the required use. Vehicles that are evidence in pending cases have to be stored outside, Wagner said, and current facilities are too small to store all the other evidence that needs to be retained. In addition, the current facility is inadequate for the kind of work required to investigate some cases, he said.
The city of Othello received a $500,000 grant from the Washington Wildlife Recreation fund for new equipment at the Lions Park playground, and $350,000 from the Youth Activity Facilities program to replace two basketball courts and add two more.
The “Pride Rock” park project will replace the existing swings and climbing bars with new equipment. Separate playground areas will be constructed for children 5 and younger, and for kids 5 to 12 years of age. The existing gravel surface will be replaced with more playground-friendly materials. The new playground will have more trees and picnic tables, and improved accessibility for children with physical disabilities.
Othello also received $515,000 from the infrastructure fund for a long term project to conserve water and to find ways to increase the city’s water supply. The project is in its second phase, with the goal of using outside water, in this case from an East Columbia Basin Irrigation District Canal, to help replenish the city’s aquifer. The irrigation water will be treated and pumped into the aquifer.
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.