The Port Commissioners have revised Northwest Powercats’ lease to permit refueling of planes stored in the second hangar, once it is built. This may cut into Avian Flight Center’s business somewhat, but Avian is not concerned, since it will be providing the fuel to the Powercats. Avian also expects to pick up some maintenance business from the new tenant.

This lease marks the second acquisition of new corporate aircraft enterprises at the Port, which is the direction the Port intends to move it.

South Kitsap Industrial Area

The Kitsap Department of Community Development has issued the working draft of its South Kitsap Industrial Area (SKIA) Plan, effective May 31. Under the Plan, 1690 acres of the SKIA have been designated as an Urban Growth Area (UGA), and this has been zoned Industrial. Part of that area is owned by the Port of Bremerton, with the remainder privately owned.

The draft SKIA Plan designates some lands adjacent to the existing UGA as additional UGA lands, which are given a new zoning category called “Business Center.” The entire SKIA is now covered by a new Master Plan Overlay.

The subarea plan is aimed at allowing development of the SKIA as “compact, individually master-planned industrial/business park developments,” providing “opportunities for development (creating or retaining) employment in the professional, technical and manufacturing fields,” according to the draft. However, spokesmen for the SKIA Plan made it clear that there will be “no tall smokestacks” – industries in the SKIA will be limited to “clean” operations.

Upon adoption, this plan will be incorporated into the Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan. A public hearing on the draft area subplan is anticipated, but the time and place have yet to be announced.

Safe Boats wins contract

Late in May, Bremerton boat builder Safe Boats International was awarded a $30 million contract to build their unsinkable boats for the U.S. Marine Corps. Called “Special Unit Riverine Craft,” the 36-foot boats will feature the company’s patented Styrofoam collars, which provide positive floatation and stability, as well as invulnerability to small-arms fire.

Safe Boats was successful in beating out about 40 competitors in winning the contract, a major coup for the Port’s Olympic View Industrial Park, where Safe Boats is quartered. The company expects to hire up to 25 new employees to handle the new business, making a total work force of about 75.

As reported in a previous issue, Safe Boats received a $10 million contract two months ago to build their special boats for the U.S. Coast Guard’s new homeland security forces.

Bremerton Marina Expansion

Expansion of the Bremerton Marina is awaiting City and County approval and the granting of the usual permits. Part of the expansion will involve construction of an expanded breakwater to protect moored boats from arriving and departing ferry wakes. The Port hopes to attract new permanent moorage tenants, including some who will be living aboard their vessels.

On the other side of the fence, although not part of the Marina expansion, plans for the new adjacent hotel/restaurant complex are proceeding. The OPUS Group, of Bellevue, has been selected as the developer, and L.M.N. Architects, of Seattle, are working on the conceptual design. The current buildings formerly occupied by the naval museum and an adjacent restaurant, are being readied for demolition in September, with construction scheduled to begin early in 2003.