SEED project marks first groundbreaking

After years of discussions, planning and pushing, the Port of Bremerton broke ground — at least in ceremony — on its Kitsap Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED).

Port officials gathered Friday morning at the site of the planned 75-acre, clean technology business park, which is across the street from the Bremerton National Airport on State Route 3 in the South Kitsap Industrial Area(SKIA).

Last month, the first work contracts for the “multifaceted program” that will include both a business incubation and a sustainable business practices program were approved, including paying Gorst firm Sound Excavation nearly $270,000 for site grading and soil moving that will lay the groundwork for both an access road and more stable building foundations.

The first phase also includes providing for a utility trench, and Thomson described the second phase as completion of both the road and utilities.

As envisioned by the port and project director Tim Botkin, Pod 1 should cost $32-million and take up 86,000 square-feet of the entire SEED complex.

If work on the first phase begins this year, it will fulfill the port’s goal of initiating such construction “with completed design, permits, SEPA compliance and contract award — no later than Dec. 31, 2007.”

Also last month, the port hired the architectural firm Mithun, Inc., of Seattle to design the SEED complex with the signing of a $1-million contract.

“Our investment in SEED and the sustainable practices initiative will ensure that Kitsap’s leadership role, in perhaps the most rapidly growing business sector in the world, remains intact as we grow through the years,” stated Port of Bremerton Commission President Mary Ann Huntington.

Mithun, which the port described as a national leader in green-build and clean technology integration,” gave a presentation in Silverdale this week at the sixth annual Clean Tech Summit of the West Sound Technology Professionals Association.

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. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.