State officials are considering seeking $32 million in funding for Fort Worden as part of the federal government’s potential investment in infrastructure projects.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has identified four areas for funding at Fort Worden, according to a draft proposal under review.

Nearly half of the $32 million — approximately $15 million — would go to historic preservation efforts to repair former military buildings at the fort, which was built in the 1890s to protect Puget Sound from a foreign navy attack.

The $15 million would pay for the replacement of roofing of the historic buildings, as well as abatement of lead materials, new porches and railings, and structural repairs.

Another $8 million is earmarked for improvements on the upper campus of the fort’s 434 acres. The proposed work includes replacing outdated and failing fire alarms in the buildings, the installation of commercial kitchen equipment and A/V upgrades in the Commons building, renovated and expanded parking, and the completion of site work and a geothermal heating system at the Makers Square project.

Approximately $5 million would go to renovate public roadways and campground roads within the fort, including sidewalks and parking lots.

Another $4 million would be used to replace the failing water system at the fort and for putting power lines underground.

Washington State Parks put together the proposal for federal stimulus funding following a request from the office of Gov. Jay Inslee.

Asking for federal infrastructure money for the fort looked like a logical pursuit since Fort Worden has been designated as a Natural Historic Landmark, said Peter Herzog, Washington State Parks Assistant Director for Parks Development.

“It’s one we thought was a good stimulus project,” Herzog said.

Unlike historic military installations in other parts of the country, the setup at Fort Worden was not modified over time as the military changed; the structures remained intact.

And the condition of the buildings, while needing major maintenance, are well-preserved for structures that are more than 120 years old.

The draft proposal notes the property has 73 historic buildings, its original Coast Artillery batteries, and four museums “run by enthusiastic partner organizations.”

The preservation and campus improvement projects are part of Washington State Park’s 10-year capital plan, the proposal notes, “and has been vetted by the agency’s review process.”

“These projects will help preserve a nationally significant historic site, improve the experience of over 1.5 million visitors enjoying the historic fort and grounds, and help support jobs and economic development of the city of Port Townsend and surrounding rural communities in Jefferson and Clallam counties on the northern Olympic Peninsula,” the proposal says.

State officials have also been looking at two other areas of Washington State Parks that make sense for federal infrastructure stimulus spending: Beacon Rock State Park,  a 4,458-acre camping park in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, and improvements for Washington trails that can hook up with the National Trails System.

The main campus of Fort Worden is managed by the Fort Worden Public Development Authority, which leases the property from Washington State Parks.

Fort Worden PDA officials have long bemoaned the scope of high-dollar improvements needed at the historic property, and the PDA’s inability to fund needed maintenance efforts while covering the costs of daily operations and other capital projects.

The price tag on the backlog of maintenance projects has earlier been estimated to be at least $80 million.

David Timmons, interim executive director of the Fort Worden PDA, gave an overview of the draft proposal for federal stimulus at the PDA board meeting last week.

Timmons said the governor’s office would submit the proposal for federal stimulus funding to Washington’s congressional delegation.

He said Washington’s members of Congress were looking for a package of earmarks that could be proposed for federal funding.

“We’re pretty excited about that, if it comes,” he said. “It will be disruptive, but we can work around it.”