Granted, after a number of failed plans, downtown Bremerton desperately needs something to spur redevelopment. The problem is, no one in the private sector is willing to be first to do so. In other places government has successfully stepped in and got the ball rolling. But it’s far from a sure thing it’s going to happen here. There are just too many compelling reasons not to do this.
• The cost: $33 million is a lot to put at risk — even if it isn’t coming from new taxes. There’s no argument the county needs significantly more space. But there is also a study that says the county could build all the facilities it needs at the current site for around $18 million. That leaves $15 million that could be spent on branch facilities throughout the county that are tied together electronically so taxpayers won’t have to travel to Port Orchard, Bremerton — or anywhere else.
• The location: If the county is betting on downtown Bremerton redeveloping because this facility is there, why is it insisting on building it on the most desirable piece of real estate? The location — between the corners of 6th and Pacific and 6th and Washington — is perhaps the best one a private sector developer could want. Especially given its dual proximity to the Admiral Theatre and the waterfront.
• Parking: There is no firm plan in place to deal with the parking issue. There have been several vague plans proposed, but nothing has been resolved. Until the parking problem is solved, going forward is pure folly.
• Accessibility: There are more than a dozen stoplights between the Kitsap Way exit of Highway 3 and the proposed location. There are none between there and the current courthouse. This has the potential to be a traffic nightmare, and neither the city or the county have yet addressed this issue.
• Infrastructure: The infrastructure to support the proposed governmental center is not in place in downtown Bremerton. This has the potential to run the cost up way past $33 million.
• The County Seat Issue: It is irresponsible for the county to spend one more nickel of taxpayers money on this project until the question of whether or not this constitutes a move of the county seat is answered. In spite of opinions from the county attorney (the prosecutor’s office) that it doesn’t, a lawsuit has already been filed by the City of Port Orchard over this. The prudent thing is to wait until that is resolved so we have an answer.
• Financing: This too is a lawsuit in the making. The question of the legality of the Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority (KCCHA) as the lead financing agency is an issue as well. Bremerton was legally defined as a blighted area sometime in the 1980s, which gives KCCHA some leeway, but this needs a legal clarification before the county spends any more money.

I’m not against spending money to build the facilities we need to provide the level of service the taxpayers deserve. I am against wasting their money on what looks to me like a project with more problems than solutions. I say, put it to a vote of the people who have to pay for it..