Westpark meeting tells of future, current concerns

Residents had an opportunity to hear about the future of Westpark and express concerns about current matters there in a community meeting Thursday, Aug. 4.

“We have a...city who’s anxious to see Westpark move forward,” said Ted Johnson of Marathon Living, who is working on the upcoming addition of an assisted-living retirement facility in the community beginning in October.

Plans for that phase of redevelopment call for the Firs II facility to break ground at the entrance to Westpark at the corner of Oyster Bay and Russell Roads.

Russell Road will be relocated during construction and Johnson and Bremerton Housing Authority (BHA) Housing Programs Director Roy Sowerby assured residents that they would work closely with Kitsap Transit to ease the impact on transportation services caused by the construction.

The future of Westpark, Johnson explained, includes a mix of rental, for-sale, low-income and commercial properties.

“We’re looking at lower-density properties that can be built for rent or for sale,” Johnson said.

Low-income residents will be scattered across various si tes countywide with housing integrated into other neighborhoods. Sowerby said the change will help take away the stigma that can be attached to low-income housing.

BHA officials said new applicants will be placed into a combination of sites in Westpark, Section 8 housing and off-site

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