Legislature approves new use for Northern State campus

Janicki seeks R&D campus at old hospital site to develop innovative sanitation technologies Legislation now headed to the governor’s desk for signature

(OLYMPIA, WA) On Friday, State lawmakers sent a bill to the governor’s desk that will bring upwards of a thousand, family-wage jobs in assembly, research and green technology to the Skagit Valley over the next five years, and launch the Skagit Valley into the vanguard of efforts to improve worldwide public health.

Senate Bill 5887 grants the state the authority to pursue a long-term lease with the Port of Skagit to redevelop Northern State Hospital campus in Sedro-Woolley, where local officials are partnering with Janicki Bioenergy founders Susan and Peter Janicki to locate an integrated campus for the development and manufacturing of cutting-edge sanitation technology.

The technology, called the OmniProcessor (OP), produces ultra-clean water and electricity while eliminating sewage sludge, and carries the potential to improve the lives of millions of people in developing countries, where unsanitary drinking water is a leading cause of death of young children, according to the World Health Organization.

“This idea has been in the works for a couple of years and the community has really come together around this goal of creating local jobs, ”said Sen. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, prime sponsor of SB 5887. “This economic boost will mean a lot to families looking for good jobs right where they live.”

“I supported the bill throughout the process and am glad to see it garnered enough support to pass the Legislature,” said Rep. Elizabeth Scott, R-Monroe, prime sponsor of House Bill 2035, the companion bill to SB 5887. “Allowing for alternative uses provides the flexibility needed to help attract muchneeded jobs to our region.”

“The opportunity to continue developing the OmniProcessor in our own hometown is tremendously exciting,” said Peter Janicki, a Sedro-Woolley native. “The health imperative in the developing world for a cost-effective way to provide clean sources of drinking water is considerable. And so is the economic demand – more than 50 countries have contacted us with interest in purchasing our processor. This is technology we can all be proud of: it will generate significant economic opportunity for the Skagit Valley while truly changing the world for the better.”

The technology has the financial backing of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the support of Bill Gates himself, who wrote about the OmniProcessor on his blog and promoted it on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

The Northern State Hospital site, which was designed by the renowned Olmsted Brothers landscape architecture firm and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been underutilized since the hospital closed in 1973. Janicki Bioenergy’s proposed use for the site aims to preserve its original Olmsted design.

The effort has generated significant local enthusiasm: The cities of Anacortes, Burlington, Concrete, Hamilton, La Conner and Mount Vernon have each submitted resolutions in support of the overall effort.

“This opportunity really is a game changer for Sedro-Woolley and the Skagit Valley,” said City of Sedro-Woolley Mayor Mike Anderson. “Hundreds of great local jobs supporting a great global cause: as mayor of Sedro-Woolley, I couldn’t be prouder seeing such a positive opportunity come together the way it has, thanks to the hard work and cooperation of a lot of folks.”

“This project represents public-private partnership at its very best,” said Port of Skagit Commissioner Bill Shuler, president of the commission. “Through continued collaboration, we have an opportunity to preserve a historic property, increase access to open space and generate hundreds of high-paying local jobs – all while becoming a global leader in green and public health technology.”

“This project is the most significant economic development opportunity we’ve had in Skagit County, maybe ever,” said Skagit County Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt. “We’re excited, we’re moving ahead, and we’re doing so in a responsible way for the historic property, for existing tenants, and for the environment.”

“We look forward to seeing a proposal from our local partners and reviewing it in a timely manner,” said Chris Liu, director of the Department of Enterprise Services, the state agency responsible for managing the Northern State property. “This bill is a result of a collaborative planning process with community partners exploring opportunities for the state-owned site and provides greater flexibility for the state through leasing authority.”

SB 5887 was approved on a 97 to 0 vote

It will now be transmitted to Gov. Jay Inslee, who has five days to take action.

Additional Information can be found at  http://janickibioenergy.com

 

Source: Port of Skagit Press Release 4/10/15.