Public Facility District Financial Feasibility Reviews Program
Commerce is implementing the public facilities district independent financial feasibility review program, as required by Chapter 36.100.025 RCW and Chapter 35.57.025 RCW. The requirement went into effect in 2012.

Credit: Photos provided courtesy of Spokane Public Facilities District.
What State Law Requires In a Feasibility Review
The Department of Commerce conducts independent financial feasibility reviews under contract with independent contractors, which is intended to ensure that local decision makers have access to objective and timely analysis of the financial feasibility of a project. Commerce’s role is not to approve or reject a public facility district’s plan.
State law further directs Commerce to make the review public upon its completion, and submit it to participating local governments, state elected officials, and the Legislature.
The law requires that an independent financial feasibility review must take place before:
- A new PFD is formed.
- A PFD issues new debt (not refinances existing debt).
- The long-term lease, purchase, or development of a facility by a PFD.
The review “must examine the potential costs to be incurred by the public facilities district and the adequacy of revenues or expected revenues to meet those costs.” This potentially would include information from interlocal agreements between the public facilities district and other local governments, bond covenants, construction and operating contracts, business plans, and other such documents.
Typically, Commerce and the jurisdiction(s) will negotiate a cost-recovery agreement under the Interlocal Cooperation Act (RCW 39.34). We select and contract with an independent party to perform the review. Commerce pays the reviewer directly and the jurisdiction(s) reimburse us for the review and associated costs.
Completed Independent Financial Feasibility Reviews
2022 – Spokane Public Facilities District Stadium Feasibility Review (PDF)
2021 – Washington State Convention Center Summit Addition Completion Feasibility Review (PDF)
2020 – Skagit Regional Public Facility District Improvement Feasibility Review (PDF)
2019 – Yakima Convention Center Expansion Financial Feasibility Review (PDF)
2018 – Washington State MLB Stadium Lease Agreement (PDF)
2018 – Spokane Public Facilities District Sportsplex Project (PDF)
2018 – Washington State Convention Center Expansion project (PDF)
2018 – Cowlitz County Public Facilities District Columbia Theatre Renovation project (PDF)
2017 – Spokane Public Facilities District INB Performing Arts Center (PDF)
2013 – Asotin County Asotin County Family Aquatic Center project (PDF)
2013 – Richland Public Facilities District Hanford Reach Interpretive Center project (PDF)
- Richland Public Facilities District’s letter with comments on the review (PDF)
- AECOM Economics’ additional remarks related to the RPFD’s letter (PDF)
2013 – Spokane Public Facilities District Convention Center Expansion (PDF)
2013 – Spokane Public Facilities District 2013 Debt Issuance (PDF)
2012 – Lewis County Public Facilities District Event Center and Sports Complex project (PDF)
Research Services
Resources
Contact
Program Inbox
PFDreview@Commerce.wa.gov
Angie Hong, Program Manager
Angie.Hong@Commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-506-1706