Port Orchard merchants push Main Street affiliation and downtown fixes; city staff to follow up on parking, signs and a marquee plan

Members of the Port Orchard Bay Street Association and city officials discussed a range of downtown business and maintenance issues during the Economic Development & Tourism Committee meeting on Feb. 14, including a push to pursue Washington Main Street affiliation, questions about short'term parking limits, derelict building complaints, banner permits and long'term plans for the Bay Street marquee.

Monica Adams, past president of the Port Orchard Bay Street Association, said the association is pursuing a transition to a Main Street affiliate and eventually a certified Main Street organization. Adams described forming an alliance of businesses and community partners, rewriting bylaws and establishing committees aligned with the Main Street program''which she said could unlock federal and other funding streams and support a future paid director. "We would then have access to federal funding... it would increase our capacity for funding," Adams said.

Committee members asked about practical downtown concerns raised in four letters from a resident, Jared Fagan, forwarded to council members: parking options, derelict dwellings, sandwich board signs and pedestrian activated signals. Fred Chang, council member, read a synopsis and staff said they would forward the letters to city planning staff for a future committee meeting.

On parking, business leaders said two'hour limits have frustrated customers who want to shop and eat downtown; some suggested extending curb limits in front of businesses to four hours while other members cautioned employees would then occupy stalls for extended periods. The city said some merchant parking is managed by the Port and that temporary solutions are limited; staff said they will coordinate with merchants on options.

Members raised code'enforcement concerns, including crumbling signage on a building and roof and gutter problems at a corner property known in the meeting as the Myre's building. Nick Bond, community development director, said staff would have code enforcement investigate reported hazards and visible deterioration.

The marquee that spans Bay Street and the street lighting below it also drew discussion. Staff described a plan developed about a decade ago to remove the marquee, place utilities underground and install new street lighting and bollards; cost estimates from earlier planning were approximately $4 million per quadrant in older dollars and would be substantially higher today. City staff said the marquee'support structure has rotten decorative wood wrap posts and some poles are deteriorated; staff said cosmetic repairs and painting were possible but structural repairs or removal would be expensive and could require sidewalk work if poles are removed.

Sarah Butler, representing the Portrait Basement Association and others, and other volunteers said they plan several downtown beautification events this year to maintain planters, watering and weed control and proposed murals for temporary construction fencing and utility boxes. Committee members encouraged volunteers to bring proposed designs to staff and to council for approval of any public mural or banner permits.

On lodging tax and FIFA-related marketing, John Morrissey (council member, at'large) said the committee has asked for applications to support FIFA'related marketing and that a higher'than'expected lodging tax yield this year may provide funds without dipping into reserves. He said no proposals had been approved yet and allocations would be recommended by the lodging tax advisory committee (LTAC) after proposals are received.

Staff agreed to bring Jared Fagan's letters and related downtown maintenance items to a future committee meeting for more formal discussion.