Kilmer Secures More Than $2.6 Million in New Federal Funding for Community Projects in Kitsap County
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to pass the Consolidated Appropriations Act, government funding legislation that includes new federal funding for local priorities in Kitsap County. Specifically, the government funding package includes:
- $1,619,500 for the Suquamish Shores Enetai Project
- $1 million for the State Route 166/Bay Street Reconstruction in Port Orchard
The funding for the Suquamish Tribe will help create new affordable housing townhomes on the Suquamish Tribe’s Port Madison Indian Reservation. The funding for the City of Port Orchard will support reconstruction of a segment of the city’s main street in downtown Port Orchard at a raised elevation to account for persistent flooding and rising sea levels.
With regard to the Suquamish Shores Enetai Project, Kilmer said, “Across our region, we need more affordable housing – including for Native communities. That’s why I’m thrilled to secure more than $1.6 million in new federal funding to build new affordable housing in Kitsap County. These projects will not only help ensure more members of the Suquamish Tribe can return to their ancestral homelands but also help ease housing challenges for non-Tribal citizens that live nearby.”
“The Suquamish Tribe sincerely appreciates Representative Kilmer’s work to include our Enetai Project in the bill. This project will help address the housing crisis on and surrounding our Reservation by creating affordable housing opportunities. Our tribal citizens deserve and should be able to live on their ancestral homelands,” said Leonard Forsman, Tribal Chairman of the Suquamish Tribe.
The Suquamish People continue to live in the place of their ancestors and practice their traditional life ways on the Port Madison Indian Reservation. Over the last 20 years, the Suquamish Tribe has experienced a cultural resurgence, devoting time and resources to the creation of a series of culturally significant buildings on the Port Madison Indian Reservation. The revitalization has led to growth in the number of Tribal citizens who desire to live on their ancestral homelands – and over time, the number of Tribal Members trying to secure affordable housing on the Reservation has risen to approximately 80 to 100 families.
The Enetai Project, which is receiving Community Project Funding, calls for the construction of a new housing complex on the Suquamish Tribe’s Reservation. Approximately 20 affordable townhomes would be constructed on a parcel of land referred to as the ‘Suquamish Shores,’ an area that has recently returned into Tribal hands. Development of the Enetai Project aims to further enhance the progress being made toward rebuilding the original center of the Suquamish Tribe, as well as improve infrastructure per the Tribal Master Plan. In addition to providing opportunities for Tribal citizens to return home, the Enetai Project will help ease the housing challenges for the non-Tribal citizens that live in and around the boundaries of the Reservation.
Rep. Kilmer led the effort to secure funding for the project through the House Appropriations Committee’s Community Project Funding process. The Enetai Project was supported by the City of Bainbridge Island Councilmember Leslie Schneider and City of Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson.
With regard to the State Route 166/Bay Street Reconstruction, Kilmer said, “This investment is important for the revitalization of downtown Port Orchard. It will serve as a catalyst for growth and vitality for the local economy – and improve community resilience in the face of flooding. The federal government should be a partner in projects like this so that the costs don’t fall on the backs of local taxpayers.”
“The City of Port Orchard is extremely grateful for the hard work that Congressman Kilmer put forth in securing the funding for the Bay Street design,” said Port Orchard Mayor Rob Putaansuu. “The reconstruction of Bay Street will address current flooding issues, climate change and sea level rise. Our Master Planned project that includes the Community Center, Kitsap Bank’s Headquarters and the Mixed-Use Housing projects would not be able to move forward without this investment. These important projects are the first steps in the revitalization of our Downtown.”
SR 166/Bay Street is both Downtown Port Orchard’s “main street” and an arterial corridor linking SR 16 to both the north side of the City of Port Orchard and outlying areas of South Kitsap County. This section of the highway experiences frequent flooding at higher tides during rain events. In 2021, the City of Port Orchard completed the Downtown Subarea Plan to redevelop the west end of downtown - which features a public-private partnership between the City of Port Orchard, Kitsap Bank, Kitsap Public Facilities District, Kitsap Regional Library, and other local landowners. The Bay Street improvement was one of several public and private investment projects required to support the redevelopment effort.
According to the City of Port Orchard, the resulting street improvements will provide a new pedestrian-accessible connection, in conjunction with future planned development, from the waterfront to the upper area of the downtown. This area includes the City of Port Orchard City Hall, and Kitsap County Campus. In addition, the proposed improvements will connect to existing amenities along the waterfront. This includes the Bay Street Multi-Use Pathway, Parks, the Port of Bremerton Marina facilities, and downtown retail businesses. The street reconstruction itself also aims to improve safe accommodation and efficiency for all modes of transportation in this busy downtown area. Combined with other planned improvements, the reconstruction of this critical street aims to help the City of Port Orchard revitalize its downtown core while encouraging more compact growth and new housing units.
Rep. Kilmer led the effort to secure funding for the project through the House Appropriations Committee’s Community Project Funding process. The project was supported by the South Kitsap Chamber of Commerce, Kitsap Economic Development Alliance, and the Downtown Port Orchard Merchant Association.
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