The City of Bremerton will be conducting an open house for the Eastside Employment Center from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at the Sheridan Park Community Center.

The EEC is a long-standing employment center with a medical center, small businesses, housing, parks and urban forests surrounding Harrison Hospital in Bremerton.

Harrison Medical Center has been EEC’s centralized location since its inception in 1965. Harrison has begun transitioning to a new campus in Silverdale, with many of the associated medical uses surrounding the facility also making the transition.

The expected timeline for the first phase of the Harrison transition to be completed is sometime in 2020. The full departure of the hospital is expected to be completed by 2023, according to the City of Bremerton. Several projects and investments are currently underway in that area.

“The idea is to remain economically vital in that area,” Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler said at the City Council meeting on Wednesday.

“We want a seamless transition. Rather than waiting around for the hospital to close and wondering what we’re going to do with an empty building, we are on [the] path to develop a plan to be ready for it.”

Community members are encouraged to ask questions and discuss ideas at the open house. A presentation and interactive sessions will begin at 5 p.m. The City of Bremerton stated that the open house event is family-friendly. Light snacks will be provided.

“We want help, we want input on shaping the future of economic development and residential growth in that part of the city,” the mayor said.

For more information, contact Allison Satter at Allison.satter@ci.bremerton.wa.us.