Poulsbo accepts West Poulsbo retrofit and secures $1.54M Ecology grant for Dogfish Creek
Summary
Council accepted the completed West Poulsbo stormwater retrofit project (Nelson Park) and staff announced a $1.54 million Ecology construction grant for the South Fork of Dogfish Creek; combined projects aim to improve treatment for runoff entering Liberty Bay.
Poulsbo — The City Council on Nov. 12 accepted a completed Ecology‑funded stormwater retrofit at Nelson Park and heard that staff secured a $1.54 million state grant to build a prioritized phase of the South Fork Dogfish Creek project near Centennial Park.
Public works presented the West Poulsbo retrofit as complete. Charlie, a public‑works presenter, said the project treated runoff from Finn Hill and Viking Avenue and was constructed this summer by local contractor VET Industrial. The low bid was about $750,000; the project had a $1.25 million budget (85% funded by the Washington State Department of Ecology) and finished at about $867,000 with roughly $7,000 in change orders. Council moved to accept the project as complete and recorded aye votes.
Staff also said the city won an Ecology construction grant of about $1,540,000 for the South Fork Dogfish Creek project. That work will focus near Centennial Park and treat roughly a 14‑acre basin that previously lacked treatment; the city’s anticipated share is about $230,000 (roughly 15%). The presentation outlined a phased approach: the current grant funds the highest‑impact pieces while a pond retrofit and other work are sized as a later phase, since Ecology funding prioritizes water‑quality work over detention‑only improvements. Construction is targeted for summer with completion in the following fall, pending permitting and procurement.
Why it matters: Both projects are intended to reduce pollutant loads into Liberty Bay and improve local stormwater treatment. The West Poulsbo project came in well under the original budget and is online; the Dogfish Creek grant lets the city advance design and construction on a larger reach with substantial Ecology support.
What’s next: Council accepted the West Poulsbo project and staff asked that the Dogfish Creek grant be placed on a consent agenda to allow execution of the grant agreement. Staff will return with permitting and procurement steps and a projected construction schedule.
