Bremerton is still playing the waiting game. The redevelopment is inevitable, and that statement has been said over and over – expressed for decades.

This latest proposal may be the one. It looks like it will happen, but this same positive enthusiasm is not new. There is a difference though. Pockets of progress are springing up like the new three story commercial Windermere building at 6th and Park Avenue, the expanded Evergreen Park, ground breaking of the ice arena, demolition of the Sinclair Building and a smattering of new businesses.

The “biggies,” rumor has it that permits are now being taken out for the new government complex. If you were wondering when the subject of art was going to enter the picture – it’s now.

Over a year ago I was invited to be on the advisory panel for the proposed multi-government complex. I accepted so the arts would have a voice, and was assured over and over that one percent for the arts was in the plans. I had seen millions of dollars plunked into Silverdale developments with little or no regard for the inclusion of fountains, sculptures, museums, performing arts facilities, exhibiting areas or creative open-air public spaces. I didn’t want Bremerton to begin redevelopment with the same disregard.

It came to pass that legalities of county seat definition brought the huge proposal to a halt, but a scaled down play stayed. This scaled down version saw new players. When I brought up a percentage for the arts, you would have thought I was speaking another language. I guess Bremerton doesn’t have to abide by county art mandates now, even though some have questioned this because of the occupancy of Kitsap County agencies within the mix.

Some non-artist Bremerton residents formed a committee and were frantically trying to bring a Bremerton One-percent-for-the-arts proposal before city governing officials. Any project that takes out permits before an art mandate is established sidesteps any art requirements. Do you see what has happened? The largest government structure ever built in Bremerton is in the stages, as we speak, of taking out permits.

Might I point out, that the situation of building a significant government structure within a legally deemed arts district may be one of the most unique in the entire nation. That makes the art presence all the more important.

Norm McLaughlin, executive director of Kitsap County Consolidated Housing had representatives contact me as to what art might be involved with the new government complex in Bremerton. His agency is spearheading much of the downtown redevelopment. I was asked to submit an art proposal as soon as possible, and did so within a week.

Congressman Norm Dicks asked well-known artist Lisa Stirritt to contact me as to idea collaborations for art possibilities for the waterfront convention center. I found this very interesting and wondered if this was a sidestep from a one percent for the arts or a way of attaining council as to managing mandated usage of allocation appropriations.

In all cases, I am bringing this to the public front and will keep you updated.