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Bremerton Mayor Cary Bozeman has become a celebrity of sorts. The transformation of downtown Bremerton has attracted media attention all around the region as well as requests by other governments and entities for Bozeman to share the city’s secret to success. Bozeman, who is still contemplating whether to run for a third term in 2009, promised to hit the ground running when he first campaigned in 2001. He’s done that — and hasn’t stopped ever since. And, he tells the Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal, success has been great but work is only beginning. As an example, he points to the new six-year plan called “Neighborhoods Now!” It’s a plan to expand revitalization to neighborhoods, starting with a November ballot levy for community improvements including parks. The KPBJ sat down with Mayor Bozeman to ask him about current works and future plans.
KPBJ: What is happening in Bremerton now?
Bozeman: The top priorities: The neighborhood levy is critical for us. We’ve been concentrating revitalization on downtown and now we’re moving it to other areas that need support. We need to upgrade our old parks, improve streets and neighborhoods. Another priority is (JC) Penney’s building, with sale expected to close in September. The idea that we can put more housing there and a grocery store will help bring retail back downtown. The third (priority) is the new marina. Having new boats will bring $2 million to $5 million in economic development for the city.
KPBJ: Why is retail important for downtown?
Bozeman: Downtowns are now what we call lifestyle centers. Downtown Bremerton will never be a retail center again — it will be an urban center where people can live, shop and recreate. I’m not talking about a big retailer like Sears, but smaller, more specialized retail… Services will be critical for people who live here and work here.
KPBJ: Do you feel there is finally good momentum for downtown?
Bozeman: The renewal of downtown will be ongoing for the next 20 years… It’s a project that’s never finished. The world changes quickly and people’s tastes change and you have to be able to change with it. We’ve begun the process to build a vibrant downtown. The key is to continue the momentum by bringing new projects, new ideas, and being never satisfied with what we’ve created.
KPBJ: What does it take to see that happen?
Bozeman: It takes leadership and a lot of people who care about it. We have a lot of the components in place. Improvements to the hospital and the school district, the Olympic College expansion are all important — and (those organizations) have great leadership now. All the components are coming together… and it bodes well, setting the stage for the next 30 to 50 years.
KPBJ: Any particular dreams you have for Bremerton?
Bozeman: We think in five-year increments. We’re about to finish our first one… It’s an ongoing passion. For Bremerton’s reputation to be that of a high quality, urban waterfront city,—,which is our vision for Bremerton — every day we have to change and get better. If you’re not moving, you’re moving backward… I’m real proud the city seems to be gathering a good reputation around the region and people are paying attention to us. Other cities are looking at us as a model. I made 71 speeches last year — people want to know how we’re doing it. It inspires me to do more… We set a priority for revitalizing downtown, and we’ve done that. We balanced the budget and created a rainy day fund; the city is economically solvent. Now, our priority goes to the neighborhoods… We need to improve our economy so we have jobs to keep young people here, and we need baccalaureate degree opportunities here.
KPBJ: Is marketing still a focus, or does the city now market itself thanks to all the improvements?
Bozeman: You have to communicate the message every day — to the citizens, state officials, people in Seattle who are interested in bringing their businesses here… It’s not enough to just do things, you have to communicate with people… We work hard at spreading the gospel about Bremerton.
KPBJ: What have been the biggest hurdles?
Bozeman: Believing that change can happen is a challenge. A lot of people remember the old Bremerton, and we’ve always believed Bremerton will not be that again but something different. We believed we can create an urban center and restore Bremerton to vibrancy but we never said we’ll restore it to the old Bremerton… We still have people who are hanging on to the old idea.
KPBJ: When will you know your work, personally, is done?
Bozeman: There is no end to this, there is no place to say, ‘We end it.’ Are we going in the right direction? Absolutely. We’ll we leave it better than we found it? Absolutely. Hopefully, we’ll turn it over to the next generation and they’ll carry it over…
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