A Dream for port orchard

South Kitsap has been in need of a central gathering place for decades, a venue to provide a multitude of functions and uses that would serve the public and business needs of our community. Too often we hear that Port Orchard and South Kitsap have so much potential - we agree and are committed to seeing that potential fulfilled. This will start with the development of a Community Events Center that will provide amenities with a full range of options for small and large users, while attracting visitors from throughout the region.

Share your dream for Port Orchard here

October 2019

May 2019

february 2019

raise your hand

we want to do our best to create a project with the most impact. we want - you - the community to share your dreams for our great city so that we don’t look back and wished we had done something differently. We may not be able to utilize every great idea in this project but it also won’t be the last project for port orchard. let’s reach for the stars friends. our time is now!

Submit your information below as a digitally raised hand, signifying that you believe in our community and it’s potential. You imagine a future where the downtown waterfront is a gathering place for family, business, friends and residents.

Our Community Events Center will attract thousands of visitors to Port Orchard and help us create new jobs that support our local businesses and provide opportunities for generations to come. Help us communicate to the Kitsap Public Facilities District Board of Directors that we want their investment in our future by providing funding for the SK Community Events Center.

Your information will not be used for any other purpose than to indicate support for the SK Community Events Center and to receive periodic email updates as new information becomes available.

Don’t want updates? Just click the box below.

what you want for our community.

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Tell us what you imagine for Port Orchard.

public partnerships

The South Kitsap Community Events Center (CEC) will include public partners - local governments and community entities that will help us build the financial capacity and programming plans to design and build the CEC. The Port of Bremerton will serve as our primary Public Partner for the Public Facilities District project assessment and funding phase. The Kitsap Regional Library will serve as a critical partner during the planning and design phase, and as a primary tenant in the CEC will provide an ongoing role in the operations of a large part of the facility. The City of Port Orchard will also be key partners and advocate as we move through the planning and funding stages of the project. Finally, our Stakeholders, including all of the above plus likely users and possible tenants including the South Kitsap High School Rowing Club, the Western Washington Center for the Arts, our downtown business association POBSA, the Chamber, service groups such as Rotary and Fathoms of Fun, small business, and many others interested in the beneficial uses and opportunities that the CEC will provide.

City of Port Orchard

The City Council of the City of Port Orchard passed a resolution on April 23, 2019 to become a Public Partner in the South Kitsap Community Events Center.
Read the resolution here.

Port of Bremerton

The Port of Bremerton Board of Commissioners passed a resolution on April 23, 2019 to become a Public Partner in the South Kitsap Community Events Center.
Read the resolution here.

Kitsap County

The Kitsap County Commissioners passed a resolution on May 13, 2019 to become a Public Partner in the South Kitsap Community Events Center.
Read the resolution here.

port of bremerton

The Port of Bremerton operates the always bustling and attractive Port Orchard Marina on our waterfront. One of the land parcels on the proposed site of the CEC is also owned by the Port. A primary requirement of our funding and planning is the partnership of a public entity, and the Port has agreed to take on that role. They have also agreed to provide access to their property for inclusion in the project. We are currently exploring how to integrate some of the Port’s operations into the CEC..

kitsap regional library | port orchard

Our Port Orchard branch of the Kitsap Regional Library is a flourishing and key part of our downtown. Currently the KRL supports nearly 15,000 visitors a month, and provides programs and services to a multitude of children, teens, adults and our communities families. The KRL will be a welcome and valuable part of the CEC, and their presence which will build on their current programs and services will add substantial value to the CEC and all of its users.

stakeholders group | imagine Port orchard

In the end, the South Kitsap Community Events Center is - by the people and for the people! Our goal is to explore every potential use and tenant that provides the greatest benefits to South Kitsap and Port Orchard. We won’t be able to accomplish everything, but we don’t want to regret that we didn't explore the options. To that end we’ve created a Stakeholders’ group, and as things progress we’ll continue to draw upon their input. Youth, young professionals, businesses, families, outdoor enthusiasts, boaters, government officials, service groups, associations, tourism groups, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

THE IMAGINE PORT ORCHARD GUIDE

Here is everything you need to know about Imagine Port Orchard.

The Imagine Port Orchard IDEA

A group of community members and local businesses had a dream for the downtown areas of Port Orchard. They put their heads together and decided to make some amazing things happen!

Imagine Port Orchard is a movement. It's an idea that anything we can imagine, we can make possible if we work together as a community. If we can dream it, we can do it. Together.

Nothing is too big or too small. We care about forward-thinking vision as well as the small details that make up our daily lives. Our vision and attention to detail propel us towards future goals. We are all a part of Imagine Port Orchard and together we can create the changes we wish to see in and throughout our community.

What is a public facilities district?

A Public Facilities District (PFD) is a municipal corporation with independent taxing authority and are taxing districts under the state constitution. A few other projects that have been funded via this funding pool are:

Kitsap Conference Center at Harborside, Bremerton

North Kitsap Regional Event Center, Poulsbo (improvement projects)
Kitsap Fairgrounds & Event Center, Silverdale (improvement projects)

HOW DOES THE Kitsap Public Facilities District (KPFD) OPERATE?

By state law, a portion of our sales tax is put aside for projects that create tourism and economic growth. South Kitsap residents have been paying this sales tax since 2000 but our community has never been awarded funding for a project.

The Kitsap Public Facilities District decides which proposals are approved and how much will be funded for each particular project.

The money will be spent in Kitsap County one way or the other. It's simply a matter of which project brings the most growth and is the best fit for Kitsap County as a whole. This doesn't cost you or me anything. This isn't a tax increase. The money is there, it's simply a matter of deciding how to spend it and where - within Kitsap County.

HOW DOES THE FUNDING PROCESS WORK?

Local businesses and community members present their ideas for generating new tourism revenue. The KPFD is comprised of a volunteer board appointed by our County Commissioners. Each district within Kitsap (North, Central, South) and our 4 cities - Bainbridge, Poulsbo, Bremerton, Port Orchard - have a representative on the board, 7 board members total. These board members decide which projects will be most beneficial for our community and how much funding they will give to the project(s).

In 2019 a total of six proposals were considered along with our proposal for a Community Events Center (CEC) downtown on Bay Street.

Our community came out to show the KFPD that we WANT this! We are excited to build something that all of Kitsap can utilize and enjoy. We are excited to revitalize our shoreline areas and create space for new opportunities.

The KPFD voted the South Kitsap Community Events Center the #1, most important project and was awarded the maximum amount from existing revenues. The people of the South Kitsap area had a great idea that not only benefits our community but it’s OUR turn to use resources that we’ve been paying towards growth in Kitsap County.

WiLL this project increase my taxes?

No. This funding will come from an existing pool of tax revenue that has already been taxed or will be taxed in the future. This is does not create any new taxes, we are already paying this tax as Kitsap County residents.

could this funding build a new high school?

No. By state law this funding can only be allocated to projects that create tourism and jobs through the construction of public facilities.