Harborside Park gets boost from state budget

The sun appears to be shining brightly on Bremerton’s Harborside Park project as the Washington state House capital budget committee gave its final approval to $5.5 million in funding for the project on Wednesday.

“I am extraordinarily pleased for what we have in capital projects for Kitsap County, Bremerton and the 26th District,” said Rep. Pat Lantz, D-Gig Harbor. “We really need to celebrate.”

The funding for the Bremerton Harborside Park will create additional jobs in the city as well as continuing revitalization efforts by the city, Lantz said.

“This is a new opportunity for Bremerton and is a substantial step in seeing the revitalization of the downtown core, which follows up with what the Navy is doing,” she said.

The funding exceeded any expectations local legislators had for the session and will have definite impacts on the city, Lantz said.

Bremerton Mayor Cary Bozeman said this is the third time in the past five years the city has received a substantial amount of funding from the state’s capital budget.

“I think we’re beginning to build credibility with the legislature in terms that we will make good use of the money,” Bozeman said.

Democratic legislators saw the results of their efforts last fall when the Democratic caucus was held at the Harborside, he said.

“Our legislators from our district did a tremendous job and we worked hard for this,” he said.

Receiving funding from the state legislature is extremely competitive and city officials understand the responsibility that comes with the funding, he said.

“This funding is going to be put to good use by building the Harborside Park and this is a very big deal,” Bozeman said.

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