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Anacortes secures $515,000 in capital funding for waterfront event center; SR20 maintenance ask deferred
Summary
The city's lobbyist reported a $515,000 capital appropriation for the joint waterfront event center; a $500,000 transportation request for SR20 Commercial Avenue did not make the enacted transportation budget and remains a priority for 2027 advocacy.
Emily Sheay of Gordon Thomas Honeywell briefed council on the 2026 state legislative session and the city's advocacy outcomes. She said the city sought $500,000 in capital funds for the proposed 12,000-square-foot waterfront community and tourism event facility and advocated for $500,000 in transportation preservation along SR20 (Commercial Avenue).
Persistent advocacy and regional letters of support produced a capital-budget allotment of $515,000 for the event-center project — roughly twice a typical supplemental appropriation for local projects. The transportation ask did not survive final enactment, but Sheay said transportation leaders identified the SR20 request as a priority for future new-revenue discussions and recommended renewed advocacy in the 2027 session.
Sheay also summarized broader outcomes from the short 60-day session: supplemental adjustments to operating, transportation and capital budgets; House Bill 2418 (permitting clarifications) passed with local amendments; the capital budget included $375 million in bonds for the public works assistance account. Sheay recommended the city express appreciation to its legislative delegation and begin preparing 2027 priorities.
"Persistent efforts and last-minute advocacy" elevated the event-center request into the final capital package, Sheay said, and city officials pledged to continue pursuing transportation funding next year.
