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Kitsap Transit board authorizes start of negotiations for $15 million training facility site
Summary
The Board voted to authorize staff to begin negotiations to acquire land for a new training facility after completing an alternatives analysis and nearing NEPA clearance; staff said $15 million in construction funding has been granted and an appraiser will be hired to establish fair market value.
The Kitsap Transit Board of Commissioners on June 2 authorized staff to open negotiations with property owners for a proposed training facility site, a step officials described as the next major milestone in the project.
Director Claussen, Kitsap Transit’s executive director, told the board the agency has completed an alternatives analysis and is “very close” to finishing the National Environmental Policy Act review required before acquisition. He said the agency will hire an outside appraiser to establish fair market value and then begin negotiating with the property owner. “We recently were granted funding to construct $15,000,000 to construct a training facility,” Claussen said, framing the board action as preparation to move design into construction-ready plans.
Why it matters: Claussen and other staff said the facility would be a dedicated training site with a large driving course and would likely be available for use by other public agencies (for example, Jefferson, Clallam and Mason transit agencies) when timing allows. Board members asked whether the facility could be leased for private commercial uses; staff said federal and transit-funding restrictions will make private leasing unlikely but that other public entities could usually be accommodated.
The board voted to adopt Resolution 2632 authorizing staff to initiate negotiations; the motion was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.
Next steps: Staff will hire an appraiser, proceed with negotiated purchase discussions contingent on final NEPA clearance, and bring any purchase agreement back to the board for formal approval.
