By PAUL BALCERAK
Staff writer
Kitsap County commissioners agreed Monday to allow the Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority to “master plan” the proposed Central Kitsap Community Campus, according to Central Kitsap Commissioner Josh Brown.
The inter-local agreement, as it’s called, will essentially make the housing authority the contractor for the project.
“The housing authority has the experience to develop the community campus,” Brown said, adding that the agreement received “very enthusiastic support from our county commissioners.”
Brown made a similar statement at the March 19 Central Kitsap Community Council (CKCC) meeting, adding that the housing authority’s particular experience in “urban projects” would aid in the construction of the campus.
The housing authority has been helping out with planning of the campus for about a decade already.
Housing authority executive director Norm McLoughlin said the need for the campus is great.
“Now’s the time,” he said.
Plans for the campus are still in their infancy.
The county has envisioned the campus to include a new sheriff’s precinct, performing arts center, library and YMCA center, with the possibility of future expansion for the latter two.
Brown outlined a three-phase process for the campus during the March 19 CKCC meeting: a planning phase, fund-raising phase and development phase.
“Where we are right now is at the analysis phase of the fund-raising abilities of our community,” Brown said during the meeting.
He and other county officials have been meeting with local groups and individuals who may be willing help fund the campus.
In January, the county secured a $1 million grant toward construction of the YMCA center from the Washington state Department of Ecology. They’re hoping to get another $4.5 million through fund-raising efforts.
The county should “have a better idea” of how much they could expect from the community in the next month or so, Brown said.
The YMCA project is expected to cost about $12 million. The entire campus could wind up costing anywhere between $50 million and $100 million upon final completion.
