As the summer wraps up and the rainy weather the Pacific Northwest is known for continues, construction projects and outdoor crews begin swapping their T-shirts for overcoats and move as much as they can to indoor projects.
Many developments in the North End are making visible progress, while others are boasting permits and waiting for the damp weather to abate before getting underway. While Kitsap County’s Department of Community Development works to streamline its permitting process to allow projects to begin sooner, residents are observing as the current construction progresses.
Sterling Highlands, Hansville
Having changed the name in November 2006, from Hansville Homestead to Sterling Highlands, and struggling with scheduling and local community traffic concerns, developer James Laughlin maintains his positive outlook for the first phase of the project.
“Sterling Highlands is going wonderfully,” he said. “We recorded the final plat (Aug. 15) and we’re ready to sell the lots. I’m looking forward to being able to sell the lots.”
Phase I of Sterling Highlands includes 43 new homes on 205 acres just off Twin Spits Road. Laughlin is expecting construction to start as soon as the lots are sold. He said he won’t start the next phase, 46 homes, until about half of the current lots are purchased, probably sometime in 2008.
“Five lots are getting ready to go,” he said. “They’ll be ready to build soon, when they get all of the permits, on at least two.”
Belmont Building, Kingston
After more than a year of waiting, Homeland Construction owner Rick Lanning received permits for the Belmont Building the second week of August. The structure, which will be located on Washington Boulevard, will most likely have it’s groundbreaking celebration in the next several months.
“It will probably just take about four months to deal with the financing and other planning,” Lanning said in late August. “Four or five months from now, we’ll be digging a whole foundation for it.”
The building was designed by Bainbridge Island-based BC&J Architecture, Planning and Construction Management architect Peter Brachvogel with Lanning’s help. It will feature office and retail space.
Kingston Inn
property, Kingston
More than two years after the popular Kingston Inn burned down, Lanning is envisioning a happier future for the property abutting the Kingston ferry terminal. He purchased the 16,000-square-foot property for $550,000 from Kingston Inn owner Mike Prestley. Prestley was planning to rebuild the restaurant with condos above it, but both financial partners backed out of the idea. He announced in March he was selling the land.
“Basically we’re headed towards six condos across the top and retail on the ground floor,” Lanning said of his plan for the land. “We’re skipping offices on the middle floor. The Belmont’s pretty tall at 45 feet, the Kingston Inn building will be about 32 to 35 feet tall.”
Brachvogel is working on a structure design for this project as well, and Lanning said he’s brainstorming a new name. He’s considering something that will reflect the history of Kingston.
