City views revised plans for Ancich Park

In response to public feedback, city staff has refined plans for Ancich Waterfront Park to address concerns presented by residents.

The refined plans address upland improvements for a building that includes bathrooms and storage for canoes, kayaks and other boats.

Katrina Knutson, Parks project administrator for the city, presented the updated plans to the Gig Harbor City Council at Monday night’s meeting.

“We heard significant concerns from the public to the designs we put forth at the ad hoc meetings,” she said. “We’ve been really busy working with staff and consultants to meet the concerns of the citizens.”

These concerns from residents included view obstruction, increases in traffic, loss of water access and remaining consistent with Resolution 949, which provides recommendations for the future use of Ancich Waterfront Park. Two designs for a public building and bathrooms were presented at the meeting.

The first design is for a building that is 3,200 square feet and includes two Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible bathrooms, storage for canoes and kayaks and public access on top of the building.

The second design is for a smaller building measuring 800 square feet, which still includes two Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible bathrooms but more limited storage for boats. Both buildings are single-story designs, with their roofs at street level to preserve views and view corridors on either side.

Members of the Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Racing Team, including head coach Holm Schmidt, encouraged the Council to continue forward with the project and provide the team with a permanent place to store its boats and equipment.

Some community members voiced concerns about traffic increases, parking, public use of the park and asked that the project be slowed down for these issues to receive full consideration.

Upcoming meetings on Ancich Park updates are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Thursday (May 12) and 9 a.m. Saturday (May 14).

Gigging up the Harbor

The second annual Gigging Up the Harbor cleanup event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon May 21.

Downtown Waterfront Alliance vice president Mike Henery spoke to the Council about the event, which was started last year to spruce up the town before the U.S. Open.

“Our goal is just to clean downtown Gig Harbor,” Henery said. “It really is fun to get out with the community ... (the event has a) great neighborhood feel.”

Various service groups and volunteers will be concentrating on different areas along the designated clean-up zone.

The event stretches along Harborview Drive from Anthony’s to Tides Tavern, extending slightly up the hill, with attendees gathering at Skansie Park before and after the event. A picnic in Skansie Park provided by the Alliance for volunteers will conclude the event.

Volunteers should bring their own tools to use during the event.

Consultant contract

In an effort to improve the city’s permitting process, the Council approved a consulting contract with the Latimore Company, LLC, to help revise the process.

Owner Kurt Latimore had worked with the city 10 years previously in a similar capacity, according to City Administrator Ron Williams.

“The good thing is, (Latimore) wants to get to work immediately and wants to get results back to the council by the end of the year,” Williams said.

This story was originally published May 10, 2016 at 10:23 PM with the headline "City views revised plans for Ancich Park."