Council reviews options for two city‑owned houses; some urge demolition while others favor quick senior use

The Gig Harbor City Council reviewed staff recommendations and community input on two city‑owned residential properties at a study session April 16. Parks Manager Jennifer Ferrell presented condition reports, legal constraints tied to the original purchase, and cost estimates for a range of options including limited repairs for short‑term rental, conversion to public use with ADA upgrades, or demolition.

Ferrell told the council that the Soundview House (purchased 2018) must cease residential rental by May 2028 under the purchase agreement. She said the house needs a new roof and has heating‑oil logistics that complicate rental; preliminary upgrade costs ranged from roughly $104,000 for limited repairs up toward $500,000 if significant ADA and public‑use upgrades were required. Ferrell said modest work (roof and garage door) could preserve the building and allow short‑term options while a stormwater park feasibility study proceeds.

On the Wilkinson Farmhouse (built ~1920), Ferrell reported porous foundation, rodent issues, uneven floors, mold and plumbing problems; staff estimated a minimum of about $95,000 to re‑rent the house but cautioned that full historic restoration could total many hundreds of thousands. The property’s barn is listed on a historic register and drew council and public interest for restoration as a community venue.

Council members weighed options. Some members favored quickly funding minimal repairs so the house could be used as a temporary gathering spot for seniors rather than exposing renters to known hazards; others emphasized the risk and long‑term expense of repairing a failing foundation and the liability and nuisance issues tied to rodent infestation. Councilors also discussed parking and permitting constraints if the city sought to convert either property to public use.

Public comment was split. Former mayor Kequn urged demolition of the Wilkinson Farmhouse and investment in the barn: "I really think you should tear down New Yorkers. It is a money pit," the commenter said, arguing for focusing on the barn and community uses. Resident Jill Guernsey urged the council to pursue quick, modest steps to make Soundview usable by seniors: "You have an opportunity here to do something for seniors quickly," she said, recommending simple ramp work and lower‑cost improvements while longer‑term planning proceeds. Other residents echoed calls for a master plan and emphasized preserving the barn’s historic character.

Council members directed staff to return with a clear list of minimum actions and cost quotes to make the Soundview House safe/usable in the short term (roof, garage door, limited ADA improvements where feasible) and to examine whether existing senior‑services budget lines could be used for near‑term work. No final decision was made at the session; staff will bring cost quotes and an options list at a future meeting.