Samaritan board approves bond issuance

MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare commissioners approved the issuance of about $136.5 million in revenue bonds to pay for the construction of the new Samaritan Hospital Wednesday.

“Wow,” said board chair Katherine Christian after the board voted to issue the bonds, and after the meeting she said it had been a long process.

“It’s been a journey,” she said.

Commissioner Susan Carbon said site preparation has started, and she invited hospital district patrons to drive by the site on Yonezawa Boulevard and take a look.

Commissioners approved four separate resolutions, depending on the kind of bond issued. Hospital attorney Brad Berg said each bond issue had a slightly different interest rate, depending on the bond. Commissioners authorized the issuance of a different set of bonds for the project last week, and that set was sold Tuesday.

Sales for the rest of the bonds will close Sept. 28, Berg said. Graham Construction, the project general contractor, will receive notification to proceed with construction when the sale closes.

“We’re waiting to have the money in hand to provide that (notice),” Berg said.

Construction crews are moving dirt to make room for the construction fence, which is projected to start going up next week. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 6.

Cheryl Schweizer may be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.