04/23/2024 - Regular - Additional Docs-SR RCO Grant
Agenda Staff Report
Agenda Item No.: Business Item 7* Meeting Date: April 23, 2024
Subject: Prepared By: Nick Bond, AICP
DCD Director
Summary: The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) offers a variety of grants available to cities every two years. The application deadline for the 2024 round of
grants is May 1, 2024. In order for a city to apply for a grant, RCO requires a Resolution from the City Council in support of each grant application. The Resolution commits the City
to submission of the application, and if the grant is awarded, a separate Resolution will be submitted to the Council accepting the grant funding. In 2024, the City is proposing to
submit a grant application for a WWRP Water Access Grant. The proposed resolution authorizes the mayor or designee to apply for and sign various documents using RCO’s approved form.
The project application that the resolution would authorize is for $500,000 in funding towards the Orchard Street Plaza project (Called the “Port Orchard Marina Plaza” in the grant
application).
The proposed project would build a waterfront plaza within the Orchard Street ROW and on DNR land leased to the City of Port Orchard and Port of Bremerton, surrounding the new Marina
Lift Station. The application includes a project description that is limited to 1,500 characters. The description as drafted is as follows:
The City proposes to construct a waterfront plaza in west downtown Port Orchard between the planned Community Event Center (CEC) and existing Marina. The project would convert an existing
waterfront surface parking lot lacking stormwater treatment into a public space on the water that provides access and amenities to boaters and residents and which provides LID stormwater
treatment. The project results in the reconstruction of the Bay Street Pedestrian Path along the waterfront through the project area. The project results in a plaza providing residents
and boaters with a place to sit, relax, and enjoy the waterfront while driving additional economic activity to local businesses. The project is designed in coordination with the planned
CEC and a private bank headquarters project on an adjacent site, both expected to break ground in 2026. The plaza surrounds an existing piece of infrastructure that is currently undergoing
refurbishment, the Marina Sewer Lift Station. The new lift station building will provide public restrooms that are available to both marina and plaza users. The site is currently undergoing
underground utilities work related to the lift station, a project funded and permitted by the department of Ecology. The finished plaza will include lighting, decorated pavers, improved
wayfinding, public seating, a stage, with a shade
canopy for events. The plaza will also accommodate a reconstructed multimodal pathway running through the site along the water.
Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council approve a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign an authorization for the RCO WWRP Water Access Grant Program as presented.
Relationship to Comprehensive Plan: The proposed project is included in the City’s Comprehensive Plan and PROS Plan.
Motion for consideration: “I move to adopt a resolution authorizing the City’s application for RCO grant funding for the RCO WWRP – Water Access Port Orchard Marina Plaza project and
for the Mayor to sign all necessary forms to effectuate the application.”
Fiscal Impact: The City is not making a financial commitment at this time. If funds are awarded, the City Council will be asked to approve an RCO grant agreement and will commit to
building the project at that time. If successful, the grant agreement would be brought forward in July 2025.
Alternatives: Do not apply for the grant.
Attachments: Resolution, RCO Authorization Form, Concept Drawing, Project Boundary