A builder has been named for the proposed EastPark housing development.

Kirkland-based Chaffey Homes is the candidate that won out in the decision. There were no bids asked for.

Bremerton Mayor Cary Bozeman said the decision of the city council was based on a request for proposals and out of four companies who submitted, Chaffey provided the best package.

“We liked that they were able to pay up-front costs for public reach and planning,” Bozeman said.

Those costs include concept development, normally handled by city staff, Bozeman said. The company also offered to host public meetings about their ideas.

“Obviously our planning department will still be involved,” he said.

City Economic Development Director Gary Sexton helped facilitate the transfer of 44 acres of land from the United States Navy to the City of Bremerton late last year. The Navy had owned it since 1948.

The goal since then has been to move quickly to get something built there. What, so far, is planned is 300 to 350 homes.

The new homes are part of a large focus to develop EastPark, which also includes the new Bremerton Ice Arena in the Manette area of Bremerton, neighboring the YMCA and Jarstad pool.

“They know the market and they have a good start in this area,” Bozeman said of Chaffey Homes. “We’re not the developers of this and we don’t want to become developers. We’ll eventually sell the property to the developers, but not until we’re satisfied we like what they have.”

One of the mayor’s top priorities in 2003, listed at the City of Bremerton Web site was to, “sign agreement with a developer to design and build the EastPark community.”

Chaffey Homes, which has had an office in Silverdale for over 20 years, was chosen. They’ve built homes since 1963 and highlight up-scale residences such as the $600,000 and $650,000 homes they’ve built at Canterwood Golf and Country Club in Gig Harbor.

Poulsbo-based Central Highland Builders has also become involved. They highlight the construction of Arvon Village, Broadmoore Village, Fernbrook on Bainbridge Island, Central Highlands and Weaver Creek. But the EastPark project is one of the biggest Central Highland Builders has ever been a part of. Bozeman said he was unaware of Central Highland’s participation in the venture.

“That’s the decision of Chaffey to decide how to contract out,” Bozeman said.

In January 2002, Bozeman told the Puget Sound Business Journal that city hall’s mistakes in revitalizing the city had been to “always look for the big deal to solve our problems.”

Other priorities the Mayor had for the city in 2003 include:

• Complete permitting on Conference Center and begin construction in March.
• Complete permitting on the Government Center and begin construction in March.
• Purchase the US Bank building and begin the design of our new Municipal Court and Public Safety Building.
• Work with the Navy and the shipyard to begin development of their new downtown parking garage, and their terrorist protection project on Pacific Avenue.
• Work with the Bremerton Housing Authority to see that the redevelopment planning and design work for WestPark is completed.

   Bozeman had, previous to coming to the Kitsap Peninsula to work for the Olympic College Foundation, been a member of the Bellevue City Council for 16 years and appointed by them to be mayor three times.

Although his ties to Chaffey, who built large numbers of homes in Bellevue and its environs, were suspected by some to have entered into the EastPark decision, State Public Disclosure Commission reports indicate that the Chaffey family made no contributions to Bozeman’s election campaign in 2001.

The biggest contributor to his campaign was the Homebuilder’s Association of Kitsap County, with a one-time check for $5,000. Gary Sexton donated a small amount. The next highest contributors were Chuck and Joanne Haselwood, who together donated six different times for a total of $3,950. They also donated to Bozeman’s opponent Louis Mentor and to former Mayor Lynn Horton.