Federal Grant to Enhance Downtown Bremerton Development

Press Release

The Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today approved a grant of $2.6 million to help the City of Bremerton implement street and utility improvements surrounding the Park Avenue Plaza development, U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks said Wednesday.

The federal grant represents "a substantial contribution that will leverage greater private investment and assure the success of Bremerton's new environmentally-sustainable development at 4th St. and Park Avenue," Rep. Dicks said.

The congressman noted that the EDA funding will pay for "enhancements," related to the retail, parking and residential development in Bremerton's downtown, including streetscaping and exterior work in addition to utility improvements that will result in energy conservation. It could even potentially be used for installation of charging stations for electric vehicles, Rep. Dicks said.

Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent called the announcement of the EDA grant "a welcome boost for the City's downtown redevelopment and economic diversification effort." She added that "the EDA's partnership with the City on the Park Avenue Plaza helps us achieve the goal of creating a more attractive downtown area that will bring more retail and residential development and enhance our tax base."

The Mayor noted that the City of Bremerton staff had worked closely with the Economic Development Administration in the past year as the City's grant application was being prepared. EDA's mission is to help local communities build a foundation for sustainable job growth by leveraging their resources to build a more resilient regional economy.

Source