Although one county commissioner, Chris Endresen, remained opposed, the county has given thumbs up to plans that will allow for an urban village to be built up around the existing project, McCormick Woods, which was begun in 1986.
Linda Niebanck, president of McCormick Land Co., tells GlobeSt.com the concept for the expanded community (McCormick West) will include up to 90-acres (gross) for a business park, ten for neighborhood commercial space, and expand residential numbers to a total of 4,172 homes, including the 1,139 already approved (and partially completed) within McCormick Woods.
The cornerstone of the (ultimately 2,300-acre) development, which many here are calling a "mini city," is the McCormick Woods golf course. Niebanck says the company has permits to add a 200-room full-service hotel, with the intention of creating a destination-resort geared to draw corporate-retreat business. An operator has yet to be inked, but Niebanck offers that McCormick has been talking to Marriott.
As for when groundbreaking could occur on the hotel, Niebanck says, "Not until we secure financing--and obtaining financing on a resort/conference center right now is a little challenging." And as for the source of funding, she says, "We're staying open to various approaches as far as a mix of institutional and private investment."
Lying across Puget Sound from Seattle area on the Olympic Peninsula, on Kitsap County has been penciled by some reports to draw around 10,000 new residents by 2017. But some believe those growth estimates will prove to be low.
At the commission meeting, Commissioner Tim Botkin pointed to the state Legislature's recent passing of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Bill and discussed how the new bridge could boost growth in the area--and his belief that a new 2022 study will show significantly larger population increases. Niebanck echoes the opinion, "We think the bridge could put the Port Orchard area on the brink of tremendous growth and opportunity." McCormick Land Co. is banking on it.
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