Government Center move in planning stage

Just like the Jefferson family of 1970s television fame, Bremerton city staff are “movin’ on up to the east side” at the end of October.

Exactly when they will move from their Fourth Street City Hall building to the new Government Center on Sixth Street has not been determined, but Bremerton’s Economic Development Director Gary Sexton says it is scheduled for Oct. 25 to Nov. 1, after the building is fully completed.

The entire move will take only three days, according to Sexton.

Opening ceremony for the Government Center is scheduled for Oct. 23.

“It’s one more step in the progress of establishing a new Bremerton,” Sexton said. “A place where the people of Bremerton will want to visit and be proud of.”

Although the Government Center was set to open soon after the Conference Center, the date was postponed due to construction delays.

Sexton does not know exactly how much it will cost to move from City Hall to the Government Center. No moving company has been selected at this time.

Still, he isn’t sweating the move too much.

The complications of organizing a two-block move pale in comparison to the design and construction work for the Conference Center, he said.

“It’s kind of like moving from one house to another,” Sexton said.

About 60 of the 348 city employees will move from their City Hall offices.

Employees at the Oyster bay, Olympus and permitting buildings will stay put.

The police department and municipal court will stay until the the U.S. Bank building on Pacific Avenue is renovated into a new Public Safety building.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.