Roundabouts, city buildings and downtown revitalization have made Port Orchard an active construction site, with more to kick off this summer as other projects progress slowly but surely.

Efforts to better the city’s downtown are moving to the next phase with renovation for City Hall. Both the first-floor Bay Street entrance and the second floor main doors on Prospect Street are back open to the public, and Public Works staff have returned after the city announced June 24 that construction on the second floor had been completed.

With work transitioning to the third floor where the council’s chambers are located, city leaders are readjusting how meetings are conducted for the next few months. Starting June 25, the council temporarily returned to a hybrid virtual platform similar to that of the COVID era. Mayor Rob Putaansuu found himself grateful for the reasons behind this transition this time. “This reminds me of a time that I’d rather not ever repeat,” he said.“This is a much better occasion.”

However, even as the council conducts its business virtually, in-person attendance is still possible with a viewing option offered on the completed second floor.

Also progressing downtown is work on the new Marina Lift Station, where upgrades on aging infrastructure and anticipated future capacity needs related to city growth are being addressed. A June 21 update from the city said work on Orchard Street is wrapping up, which should create less of a headache for drivers in future months. Construction on the Marina Lift Station project is expected to last through the summer of next year.

One area of the city where major construction has ended is the new roundabout at the intersection of Bethel Avenue, Bay Street and Maple Avenue, but roundabout construction will shift over to the Mitchell Road and Lincoln Avenue intersection in July. Crews are already working on non-motorized improvements for Pottery Avenue as well.

Councilman Scott Diener said of the newest roundabout that the hope is for a July 8 start and that it will be completed by Labor Day weekend to avoid any impacts on the school year.