Editor’s note: The Herald asked local experts for their views on what residents can expect in 2016. Mayor Becky Erickson kicks off this series with a forecast for Poulsbo.
By BECKY ERICKSON
Mayor of Poulsbo
POULSBO — We use this time of year to reflect on our successes, learn from our challenges, and look ahead to what we might accomplish as the calendar turns the page.
I reviewed my 2015 forecast, and was pleased to see much of it came true.
This year, I have good news and bad news — and it’s the same news. Poulsbo is thriving and people are taking notice. We were projecting a population increase to 14,808 by the year 2036. The latest estimates say that will happen much faster, possibly by 2025. That’s just around the corner, folks.
Some of my neighbors would like me to build a moat and keep everybody out. Government can’t do that; private property sold to private developers is private enterprise. We can choose to passively watch it happen, or we can manage development pressures.
The City Council and I remain committed to managing development within the law — and to grow in a way that keeps Poulsbo’s charm and character, that honors our history, that preserves and protects the beauty and sense of community that we all love.
How will we do that?
We might look at expanding our borders to ensure we aren’t living so close to our neighbors, balancing density in our residential neighborhoods. We are not an urban center, and don’t intend to be. At the same time, an increasing population means increasing needs for goods and services. Our retail and service industries should see profits continue to grow. That in turn should attract, for example, more medical services, perhaps from Swedish or Virginia Mason. Olympic College and Western Washington University are expanding. Here are other projects in the works:
n We intend to use the Marine Science Center with WWU to offer environmental education on Liberty Bay.
n Watch for a new YMCA to locate on city property next to OC; the Silverdale center is near capacity. We’re doing the due diligence now and hoping for construction in the next several years.
n I’m working with Kitsap Transit to add an additional bus line, connecting the neighborhoods and schools to our downtown shopping areas.
n We are working with the three jurisdictions that are bisected by Highway 305 — the congestion and safety problems on that corridor must be addressed. And they must be addressed soon.
Seattle’s building boom has resulted in an overflow, and I believe this is just the beginning. There is a lot of investment interest in North Kitsap, regional and international. We can’t lock the door. What we can do is manage how it happens.
Yes, look for more houses being built — a lot more. But watch our more stringent rules on tree retention. Yes, you’ll see more activity in Liberty Bay, such as commercial shellfish harvesting, because we’ve cleaned up the bay. Yes, there will be more affordable housing. Yes, there will be more green space and parks.
Sound intimidating? Perhaps. But consider the alternative. When I took office six years ago, there were 13 vacant storefronts downtown. Now, there is a waiting list of commercial tenants.
This time last year, I told you I was optimistic. Today, I can say my optimism is strong, and I’m conscious of the challenges that we face. But through the challenges of a thriving community, I cannot think of a better time to be in a better place than our Poulsbo.
