The former Albertsons building in Poulsbo Village has been vacant for nearly nine years, and the City Council discussed potential ways the space could be occupied at its June 12 meeting.

During Kitsap Economic Development Alliance’s quarterly presentation, Councilmember Gary McVey asked about possible solutions to fill the large space. He said the Navy is looking for large empty spaces for storage within 25 miles of the shipyard. While the city has reached out about the potential use of the vacant Albertson’s lot, McVey said there has been little traction.

KEDA executive director Joe Morrison said it can talk to the “commercial broker community to try and identify ways that this problem might be solved. It’s, sadly, not promising based on the effort you all put in.”

McVey added: “Kudos to Poulsbo Village…I think they’ve done a remarkable job keeping that shopping center looking as good as it is and as full as it is when you have such a gaping hole in the middle of the complex.”

Councilmember Rick Eckert said it doesn’t necessarily have to be one business, it could be multiple small businesses, citing the need to occupy that space sooner rather than later.

“The 305 corridor is a growth area for the city,” he said. “We can’t keep having a hole there.”