Executive Summary

More than just one building
No single project or organization has the power to revitalize the downtown Bremerton core. No single building can create a stable and inviting climate for private investment. No organization alone can create a safe, attractive gateway into Kitsap County for visitors and residents alike.

A vision to revitalize Bremerton
That's why a group from government, community non-profits and business came together in early 1999 to develop a vision and practical action strategy to revitalize Bremerton's downtown core. Luckily, they were able to build on a wealth of previous studies, data from public involvement, and successes like the remodeling of the Admiral Theatre, the establishing of the Arts District and construction of the Gateway project and Bremerton Transportation Center.

Key word is "action"
Leaders from other cities make it clear that it can take decades to revitalize a downtown core, but the key to success is long-term commitment and action.

Strategy overview
This notebook presents the Isley Concept Plan, as well as the set of action programs that, when formally adopted, will update previous plans for the Downtown and Waterfront Districts, add detail to Isley's Plan, and implement key revitalization strategies.

Action update

• Government Center: This center would provide consolidated facilities for several levels of government to create more efficient and productive services for citizens, while the influx of employees and visitors would encourage business investment in the area. Memorandum of Understanding to proceed with design will be before the Bremerton City Council on Wednesday, January 10.
• Land Use Code: The first action item is the development of a Downtown Land Use Code, which makes the area more attractive to business by focusing commercial and urban residential uses into a compact walking area while preserving public access to waterfront, view corridors and open space. This draft is now under review by the Planning Commission and will be presented to City Council for adoption in February, 2001.
• Pedestrian Open Space: Public input over the past decade has been overwhelming in favor of creating walkways and open space to ensure downtown is pedestrian-friendly. And bustling sidewalks attract business investors and keep our downtown safe. The lsley Concept Plan splits Bremerton's extraordinary long blocks and creates new open space opportunities for commercial development. It also recommends a larger area of open space in the downtown core.
• Arts District: In many cities throughout the country art communities have transformed deteriorated neighborhoods and cities bringing new economic vitality. The City of Bremerton should strive to enhance its arts district in order to help achieve the same vitality.
• Naval & Maritime Museum: Building on the success of the Turner Joy as an historic attraction, the US Navy and Bremerton are discussing moving the Naval and Maritime Museum to land that the Navy could surplus to the city. The site would be highly visible from the water and land alike. The Navy is already drafting plans to create a landscaped wall to serve as backdrop to the site, and the city needs to act as catalyst to make it happen.
• Marina: An expanded marina will be a key attraction in a vital downtown and waterfront in Bremerton. Obtaining permits to expand the marina is a complex and lengthy process that the Port of Bremerton is ready to begin. The City must support this action.
• Housing & Economic Incentives: Housing is a key component in creating a vibrant city that's both safe 24 hours a day and is attractive to business. Property tax incentives already in place statewide that have made a world of difference In revitalizing Tacoma and Vancouver's downtown cores. Bremerton needs to adopt these standards locally to be able to take advantage of them.
• Community Empowerment Zones: Part of downtown is already designated as a Community Empowerment Zone, which allows communities to take advantage of financial incentives to revitalize distressed areas. The city needs to request the state to allow the zone to be expanded to encompass the entire revitalization target area.
• Parking: As the study group evaluated the feasibility of the proposed Government Center and similar projects in other cities, it became clear that public control of parking availability is an important component to long-term success of revitalization strategies. It's important the public have the ability to control and manage key sites so they can be converted to higher and better uses, as well as provide the certainty that parking will available as revitalization occurs. For example, KCCHA recently obtained control of waterfront property currently being used as surface parking to ensure the land will be a key part of the redevelopment strategy in future. Proposed actions include the city working with the Port of Bremerton and Housing Authority to acquire select properties for conversion to temporary or permanent parking. Commute trip reduction programs and Park-n-Ride facilities support the parking strategies.
• Strategies Workshop: Building of the momentum of the recent Smart Growth conference in Bremerton, a strategy workshop has been scheduled for February to bring together downtown core property owners and business owners to identify appropriate use of various properties and to identify strategies tat will lead to on- the-ground construction of parking, commercial space and housing in one to three years.

City of Bremerton
Downtown Strategies
January 2001

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• Bremerton / Kitsap Government Center
• Bremerton Condominiums / Harborside