| We are all familiar with the Kitsap Mall (unless you are new to the area and miss the sign on Hwy. 3) plus its surrounding retail and professional area. However, have you wondered about other developments in the area? Or wanted to know what the future holds?
According to local real estate sources, there is very little vacant commercially zoned property in the Silverdale area. And leasing-wise, near full capacity has been reached. However, there are some new projects in the works.
Plan on seeing a Walgreen’s on the NW corner of Bucklin Hill Road and Silverdale Way. This project is currently in the permitting stage. In addition, the SW corner of Mickelberry and Bucklin Hill Road will be the future home of Timberland Bank. This project is also in the permitting stage.
Construction was recently completed on a physician’s office located on Levin Road as well as the conversion of the Ridgetop Boulevard Retail Center into offices — both professional and medical.
The development of medical offices in Central Kitsap is due mainly to the phenomenal commitment Harrison Hospital has made to the area. The Hospital originally purchased 34 acres, 11 of which have already been developed. The Hospital is popular due to the fact that it was designed with the convenience of the physicians in mind. There is a common ground whereby the physicians can easily walk from their offices to the hospital.
Harrison Silverdale also provides convenience for the patient by offering day surgery, a birthing center, and a pediatric center — all within the local community. As the Harrison Hospital area is developed with more physician and medical-related offices/services, it is easy to visualize how the patient’s convenience will be increased.
Another large scale endeavor underway in central Kitsap is the Nextel project in the McWilliams Road and Highway 303 area. Currently under construction is the 60,000 square foot one-story building which will house the incoming call center for Nextel products. The building is scheduled to be finished July 1
In addition to providing further economic diversity to our local economy, the Nextel project is important for our community and county for various reasons. First, it will bring in an estimated $10,000,000 payroll to our county. Secondly, the construction of the facility is providing immediate jobs, thereby utilizing skilled labor. And thirdly, additional revenue in the form of taxes and fees will be “kicked back” into our local economy from both the primary and secondary jobs generated by the project. (Primary jobs would consist of call center employees. Secondary jobs would consist of construction workers during the building phase). For further information on the Nextel project visit Kitsap County’s Economic Development Committee site at www.kitsapedc.org.
Central Kitsap County provides a wonderful mixture of economic opportunities and environmental awareness. Tied into any real estate development in the County is wetlands protection and environmental concerns. The Clear Creek Trail project is a great example of the community forming a cohesive unit to help protect the environment and at the same time utilize it to its higher potential. The completion of this project will provide residents with a chance to further enjoy this scenic yet developed area.
(Editor’s Note: Marie E. Buckner is a freelance writer. Contact her at (360) 613-1085.). | 