All posts by Tad Sooter

About Tad Sooter

Kitsap Sun business reporter

Bainbridge off-leash dog park up for discussion tonight

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As we reported back in May, the park district is interested in leasing 15-acres of city-owned property surrounding the Vincent Road transfer station for an off-leash dog park. It took quite a lot longer than expected for the proposal to make it before the City Council, but the dog park is on the agenda for tonight’s meeting.

The memo attached to the agenda item (PDF here) lays out the history of the site and provides a preliminary design. City staff identified a number of concerns for the council to consider. The proposal is complicated by the fact that a portion of the property rests over a former landfill. The landfill was capped, and the land is safe for surface use, but any park development at the site cannot interfere with environmental remediation efforts.

City staff concluded the plan is feasible but will require “additional attention and research” to carry out.

Larry Steagall, file photo

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Bainbridge harbor group seeks support for expanded city dock

Public Dock Final Rendering

Bainbridge Island’s advisory Harbor Commission was busy crafting designs for a new city dock well before the planning workshops for Waterfront Park began last month.

The city held two planning meetings in June to discuss potential upgrades for the park and dock, and is now circulating a survey to gather more input. A 30-minute update on the planning process is scheduled for tonight’s City Council meeting.

Members of the Harbor Commission feel the discussion so far has centered heavily on the park’s uplands. They hope to rekindle interest in rebuilding the aging city dock.

The commission is circulating refined conceptual drawings for an expanded dock. The new dock would feature four fingers with space for more visiting yachts as well as club sailboats, rowing shells and kayak rentals. The plan calls for moving the head of the dock to the west of the existing boat ramp.

Public Dock Plan Drawing 06.01.13 by tsooter

The city designated $1.85 million of a recent Washington State Ferries settlement to upgrading Waterfront Park, and plans to seek additional grants. Many visions for the park were floated during the June workshops, and not every idea will fit in the final project.

In an open letter to the boating community this week, Harbor Commission Chair Mark Leese said he felt boaters were underrepresented in the discussion. He urged more boaters to get involved:  Continue reading →

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Island girl picks name for Woodland Park otter

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A Bainbridge Island girl can point out the otter she named when she visits Woodland Park Zoo.

Hannah Deets, 7, was one of two winners of the zoo’s contest to name its new pair of Asian small-clawed otters. More than 1,000 contestants suggested names from the Malay language. Winners were picked by a panel of zoo judges.

The chosen names were: Guntur (“thunder”) and Teratai (“water lily”).

The zoo announced Hannah as a winner of the contest Thursday, alongside sisters Megan and Nicole Green of Renton.

Hannah is a good person to know. One of her prizes is a visit from an ice cream truck for her and 100 of her closest friends.

According to the zoo, Guntur and Teratai are currently off exhibit while they raise four newborn pups. They’re expected to return to the Bamboo Forest Reserve in August. In the meantime, you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about Asian small-clawed otters here.

Photo courtesy Woodland Park Zoo

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Police Blotter: “Spiderman”-like theft suspect evades capture

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A suspect in a bicycle theft kept police busy on the morning of July 6. The man led officers on a chase through a Miller Road neighborhood before ditching the bicycle and fleeing into the Grand Forest. Later witnesses saw the man climb the barbed wire-ringed fence of an Island Center auto body shop with “Spiderman”-like agility. Police were unable to track down the nimble suspect.

We’re catching up on a couple of weeks of blotter here – including the busy Fourth holiday – so top off your coffee and enjoy:

Continue reading →

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Bob Bosserman withdraws from Bainbridge City Council race

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — Bob Bosserman is withdrawing his candidacy for Bainbridge Island City Council.

Bosserman announced his decision in a statement Friday. The former Utility Advisory Committee member was running against Roger Townsend and Dee McComb for the South Ward position. Bosserman is now endorsing Townsend for the post. In his statement, Bosserman said he believes Townsend shares his “progressive and environmental” principles.

The South Ward position is currently held by Kirsten Hytopoulos, who is not seeking reelection. Hytopoulos is Bosserman’s niece by marriage.

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Bainbridge gears up for Third, Fourth festivities

A packed schedule of Third and Fourth of July events begins tonight on Bainbridge. Volunteers were busy this afternoon blocking off Winslow Way  for the Street Dance and BBQ, which starts at 6 p.m. Fourth of July festivities will begin early Thursday morning and continue into the night.

Bainbridge police issued this traffic advisory for the holiday:

Due to holiday events expect heavy traffic, some delays and increased pedestrian activity.

Be aware of runners: 5K Fun Run 7:30am to 10:30am various routes from High School Road and south throughout downtown area

The following streets will be closed:

July 3rd from 3pm to 11:30 pm: Winslow Way between Madison Ave and Ericksen Ave. Street Dance

July 4th from 6am to 5pm: Winslow Way between Madison Ave and Ericksen Ave. Parade and street activities

July 4th from 11am to about 2:30pm: Madison Ave between Winslow Way and High School Rd. Parade

July 4th from 3pm to 5pm: Brien Drive/Bjune Drive. Pedestrian activities

Fireworks over Eagle Harbor July 4th begins at dusk. Limited parking nearby, heavy pedestrian traffic.

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City turns down property adjacent to Waterfront Park

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Waterfront Park will soon get an upgrade, but for now it won’t be getting any larger.

The city recently declined to make an offer on a residence for sale adjacent to the downtown park. The city had a long-standing right of first refusal on the property, which is listed at $428,000.

City Manager Doug Schulze said the potential acquisition was discussed during a City Council executive session. Council members decided the property was too expensive and not necessary for the park, he said.

The 8,000-square-foot lot borders the northeast corner of Waterfront Park.

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Environmental comment period to open for island shopping center

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The public will can submit comments on the environmental impacts of a proposed shopping center on High School Road between Friday and July 19.

The city will open the comment period this week as part of the State Environmental Policy Act review for the Visconsi project. The proposed shopping center would add 62,000 square feet of commercial building space and 261 parking spaces to the northeast corner of High School Road and Highway 305.

As the city notice notes, this may be the only opportunity to lodge official comments on the environmental aspects of the project. The city expects to issue a determination of non significance.

Ohio-based developer Visconsi Companies is seeking approval for a site plan and conditional use permit for the project. The center would include a bank, large drug store, medical offices, restaurants and other businesses. This is Visconsi’s webpage for the project.

The proposal sparked protests on the island in June.  Protestors said the development isn’t needed and promotes sprawl.

The full notice is below:

Continue reading →

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Forum for BI fire commission candidates is tonight

Islanders can get to know an unusually crowded field of candidates for the Bainbridge Island Fire Department commission Thursday night.

Resident Jane Dunkel organized the forum, scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. at Station 21, 8895 Madison Ave. (Dunkel requested use of the meeting room, the fire department is not affiliated with the event). 

Dunkel said seven of the eight fire commission candidates are expected to attend. Current commissioner Dan Morrow is running unopposed for Position 3 and is not participating in the forum.

Dunkel said she is interested in promoting effective local government and organized the forum as a community service. It will include opening remarks from candidates, questions from the moderator (Dunkel) and an audience Q&A session.

Commission positions 2, 3, 4 and 5 are up for election. Position 2 has three contestants and will be the only commission position appearing on the August primary ballot.

Longtime commissioner and department booster Glen Tyrrell resigned from Position 5 prior to the candidate filing period. Tim Carey was sworn in Wednesday to fill Position 5 until an elected commissioner takes office.

BIfire.commish

 

 

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Waterfront Park planning continues Sunday

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Planning for a revamped Waterfront Park will continue Sunday with a second community workshop. The event runs 1:30-4:30 p.m. at Waterfront Park Community Center. Islanders can join a walking tour of the park and dock at 1 p.m.

The city and Sustainable Bainbridge launched the planning effort with a well attended community meeting June 1. Prolific walkable communities consultant Dan Burden helped guide the conversation. Participants brainstormed ideas for the park and voted on their favorite design elements (you can see the voting results here).

Sunday’s workshop will include presentations from specific user groups. Bainbridge Island Rowing has a proposal for a new boathouse. The city’s advisory Harbor Commission is promoting designs for an expanded city dock.

The city dedicated $1.8 million of a Washington State Ferries settlement to reinvigorating the downtown park and will seek additional grants. A request for qualifications from design firms was recently issued for the project.

 

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Sportsman Club Road work begins next week

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A portion of Sportsman Club Road will be northbound-only next week, as the city begins work on bicycle and pedestrian improvements. The city expects major construction to be wrapped up before the Rotary Auction opens for donations June 21.

Here are details and a detour map from the city:

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, June 13, 2013 – Work will begin on Sportsman Club Road next Monday, June 17. The City has contracted with Lakeside Industries Inc. to install non-motorized shoulder improvements on the west side of Sportsman Club Road from Wardwell Road to approximately 400 feet south.

During construction hours, between 6 am and 5 pm Monday-Friday, Sportsman Club Road will be restricted to one-way northbound traffic. A detour route will be established for southbound traffic and residents/local traffic accessing Wardwell Road. Shoulder work is expected to last for approximately one week, with paving to follow as weather permits.

Citizens are encouraged to access Sportsman Club Road from the south when delivering donations to Woodward Middle School for the Rotary Auction, beginning Friday, June 21.

This improvement project is part of the City’s Core 40 Program which targets 40 roads for upgrades around the island for non-motorized improvements.

Sportsman Club Detour by tsooter

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