OLYMPIA — The state’s new two-year construction budget approved by the Legislature over the weekend includes funding for both the Kirkland Parkplace redevelopment and the Redmond Central Square city park project.

The construction budget now goes to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

The $27 million downtown Redmond park project already has secured $9 million from the city of Redmond. The construction budget would provide an additional $2 million in state money to pay for needed infrastructure to support the project.

“Supporters have done a nice job teeing this project up and I’m delighted the state was able to contribute,” said Sen. Rodney Tom, a Bellevue Democrat and vice chairman of the budget writing Ways and Means Committee. “This park will be a treasured asset and focal point for our community.”

The park is slated to be built downtown in close proximity to businesses that employ 4,000. The area could be home to as many as 2,000 new housing units by 2010.

Another $2 million would go to support the Kirkland Parkplace redevelopment, which will feature 1.2 million square feet of office space, 300,000 square feet of retail space, a hotel and other amenities.

“We need to concentrate our growth in the urban cores,” Tom said. “This project accomplishes that.”

# # #

For more information: Chris Mulick, Senate Democratic Communications 360-786-7535

For interviews: Sen. Rodney Tom 360-786-7694