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Councilmember says Tri-Cities veterans cemetery predesign funding cleared in budgets; outreach to region underway
Summary
Council member May Hayes reported progress on the Tri-Cities Veterans Cemetery effort, saying legislative language for $500,000 in predesign work is included in both the Washington House and Senate capital budgets and regional outreach is underway.
Council member May Hayes told the West Richland City Council on April 15 that the Tri-Cities Veterans Cemetery project had advanced in Olympia and that the Legislature’s draft capital budgets include $500,000 for predesign work.
Hayes said the House and Senate versions list the $500,000 predesign appropriation and that the project team is now focused on regional outreach to build support and awareness. “The response has been very, very positive,” she said, describing outreach to neighboring cities and law enforcement agencies from Moses Lake to Yakima.
Why it matters: If capital funding is finalized, the region would move into design and siting phases for a veteran cemetery that proponents say could require roughly 100 acres. Hayes said two candidate locations remain, one in West Richland and one in Richland.
Hayes also described community fundraising and recurring revenue options: she noted that veteran-designated license plates can generate annual revenue to support a cemetery and provided an example from Medical Lake, which raised about $650,000 from license-plate proceeds. She announced upcoming public events where project staff and state representatives plan to have an outreach presence, including a June 14 public event at the Port of Benton and other local festivals.
Ending: Hayes asked council to continue support and to help distribute informational flyers and host booths at community events to build regional awareness while the capital budget process completes.
