For a guy whose business has been greatly diminished during the housing industry’s decline the past several years, Walter Galitzki takes a remarkably philosophical view of things.

“It’s probably never again going to be like it was five years ago,” the owner of Sun Path Custom Construction said, referring to the housing boom that preceded the recession. “It probably never was (like that before) in history.

“There’s been a fairly substantial shift in what housing looks like.”

Galitzki has operated his company for more than 30 years, but in the last five his staff has shrunk from 17 employees to four. Sun Path hasn’t built any new homes in that time, and he candidly acknowledges that read more »

A dream home conjures a host of possibilities depending on who’s doing the dreaming; some may envision a waterfront villa with a boat moored at the dock, others a country estate with stables, or perhaps a luxurious hilltop retreat.

One version of a dream home being designed by a prominent Bainbridge Island architect, however, is much smaller and simpler in scale, though not in ambition. read more »

Mike Ritzman got an early start in the construction business. He was 13 when he started working for his father, Glen, who founded Ritzman Construction in 1967.

As the the second-generation owner of the business since 1996 with his wife, Cheryl, Ritzman says he’s carried on many of his father’s old-fashioned traditions and values.

“A lot of the old ways are still in place but we’ve implemented new things,” says Cheryl, who has worked in the business full-time since 2001, managing the office.

One of the new things is a modernized scheduling system, an online program that gives customers easy access. Streamlining the business using technology played to Cheryl’s strengths read more »

Bill Wyman is into smooth.

He delights in showing a visitor to his Creative Countertops showroom a Corian surface so smooth that seams between joined sections are indiscernible, making a countertop with a coved backsplash or built-in sink seem of a piece.

He’ll have you rub your fingertips over a polished square of quartz while he explains that it’s an excellent choice for kitchen counters because it never has to be sealed to prevent stains. read more »

When considering new commercial construction financing or extensive additions and renovations to commercial structures, the benefits of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loan program should not be overlooked. Here’s how it works:

SBA-504 Loan

If buying or constructing your own building is desirable, one of the SBA’s flagship programs, called the SBA-504 loan, can help you achieve your goal. Kitsap Bank has been assisting clients with obtaining SBA 504 loans since the inception of the program. The loans are designed to help small businesses buy, construct or improve commercial and industrial buildings, as well as buy and install heavy machinery and equipment. read more »

The Poulsbo Planning Commission has completed its review of the proposed development regulations including the city’s zoning ordinance and is moving ahead with a recommendation to the City Council. The commission’s five-month review culminated in August with a public hearing.

The proposed zoning ordinance provisions include dividing the zoning into four commercial districts, more detailed architectural design standards, updated sign codes, annexations, development agreements, and medical marijuana collective gardens, among other things, according to a planning staff summary. Also included are provisions for planned mixed-use developments on Viking Avenue and the State Route 305 corridor, and nonresidential uses in residential districts. read more »

Site work has begun on a 15-acre South Kitsap development that will have 72 houses when completed.

Freeland Industries is clearing the wooded site, which has a creek running through it, and installing sewer lines for Silver View. The development is located near Port Orchard about two miles east of State Route 16, along the south side of Sedgwick Road and west of Philips Road.

Company owner Jay Freeland said the first phase will prepare 27 lots that should be ready for home construction in November. The rest of the lots will be finished by next summer. read more »

Tim Ryan Construction, Inc. of Poulsbo has completed the Gravitec Systems Inc. headquarters.

The project involved remodeling an existing 42,000 square-foot building and adding a second-floor mezzanine that provides an additional 8,600 square feet of administrative and engineering office space.

The three-month project transformed a former sports complex into the new company headquarters.

For more information about Tim Ryan Construction’s commercial building projects, call (360) 779-7667 or visit the company’s website at www.timryanconstruction.com.

Kitsap Trident Homes, based in Poulsbo, has built a range of houses since 1978, from affordable custom homes for first-time buyers to high-end and spec homes. Owner Jim Ingalls has had an advantage since 1999 — his son, Justin, started working for him full-time after college and, as project manager, is involved in various aspects of the business.

“I do believe it’s an advantage, us working together. One of these days he’ll continue on,” Jim Ingalls said. “He’s thoroughly enjoying it and our working relationship has been great over the years.”

Jim Ingalls became the owner of Kitsap Trident Homes somewhat by accident. read more »