Home Builder Signs On for Westpark
Sun | Local
By Eric D. Williams, ewilliams@kitsapsun.com — Oct 17th, 2005
Bremerton The Bremerton Housing Authority continues its redevelopment of the Westpark low-income housing complex at a breakneck pace, while a vote is planned this week on whether to consolidate the city housing agency with the Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority.
Late last week, the city housing authority board unanimously approved an agreement with Quadrant Homes allowing the developer to build all of the detached, for-sale homes involved in the redevelopment of Westpark.
The agreement with Quadrant, the Northwest's largest home builder, comes just two weeks after the city housing authority announced an agreement to purchase two apartment developments worth more than $30 million to relocate families during Westpark's redevelopment.
Westpark has about 1,200 residents in 583 units. A potential $300 million plan for the complex includes 20 acres of commercial-retail development, 5 acres of transitional, mixed-use facilities and about 20 acres of open space. The rest — about 35 acres — would be used for housing, including 220 homes and 780 apartments.
"We are incredibly excited about Quadrant's agreement and enthusiasm to work with us to realize a redeveloped Westpark," said Lynn Horton, chair of the city housing authority board, in a statement. "It is important to include the private sector in the redevelopment, doing what they do best."
The Bremerton City Council recently added an ordinance to consolidate the two housing authorities to Wednesday's meeting agenda, two weeks ahead of a previously scheduled Nov. 2 deadline.
The council will hear final presentations from each housing authority during a study session at 5 p.m. Tuesday in Mayor Cary Bozeman's conference room on the sixth floor of the Norm Dicks Government Center.
Bozeman recommends consolidation.
A council decision was expected by August. However, the council has taken more time to get detailed information on the legality of a potential merger and the financial effects it might have.
Housing authority officials and the mayor have been anxiously awaiting a verdict, which will affect Westpark's redevelopment and the future of affordable housing throughout Kitsap County.
"I think we would all like to have the vote happen, and find out one way or another whether the council wants to keep the BHA in existence or consolidate, and let the chips fall where they may," Horton said.
Council President Daren Nygren said the meeting was moved up because Councilman Mike Shepherd would be out of town for the Nov. 2 council meeting.
"With the importance of this issue and as much time as we have invested in this process, I want to take as much precaution that we don't end up with a tie vote or another problem that could cause the process to slow down," Nygren said.
The council also has a busy schedule for the rest of the year, including the 2006 budget process and an updated zoning package.
Nygren said even with the meeting being moved up, the council has had enough time to study the issue and make an informed decision.
"I have gone out of my way, and have been criticized for doing so, in slowing this process down," he said. "There have been people that have thought we had enough information months ago. But I have been very methodical in slowing the process down to make sure we have had all of the information we need."
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