I’d like to put some definition on what the county is missing out on while we drag our feet over these years and decades on the Pleasant Harbor Resort. This development has attempted to …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you had an active account on our previous website, then you have an account here. Simply reset your password to regain access to your account.
If you did not have an account on our previous website, but are a current print subscriber, click here to set up your website account.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
* Having trouble? Call our circulation department at 360-385-2900, or email our support.
Please log in to continue |
|
I’d like to put some definition on what the county is missing out on while we drag our feet over these years and decades on the Pleasant Harbor Resort. This development has attempted to move forward for over 18 years.
Where are we today? The developer has paid Department of Community Development $700,000 for services and they still do not have a building permit to show for it. This doesn’t include the consultants’ fees, which are disturbing, the details of which will not fit in this guest column.
The sales tax paid on the first building was $39,000. That building remains palletized, on-site, and awaiting a building permit, since October 2024. There is a $1 million building in parts sitting on pallets to be assembled by local contractors, if the elusive building permit ever comes to fruition. Local contractors will do the concrete, electrical, HVAC, interior, and other trades work. Just imagine all the work being prevented right now!
We’re also losing out on over 150 jobs in hospitality, entertainment, golf course management, grounds and building maintenance, manufacturing, health care, pharmacy staff, restaurant staff, and other services and recreation. That is in addition to jobs in the small business retail shops and outdoor marketplaces, which are not included in this estimate.
We are losing out on recreational opportunities like ice hockey, a climbing wall, golfing, go-cart track, sailing, sports courts, two pools and more. All these facilities will be open to the public and constructed without taxpayer dollars.
We are losing out on lots of housing. There will be 214 single family residences, 350 condos, 52 staff apartments, and 300 hotel or motel rooms.
Our county is missing out on the property tax, which we have, I guess, decided we do not see any sense of urgency in capturing. These property taxes would amount to a mere $2.6 million annually. Over 18 years, that is nearly $47 million.
I bet we could fix our dilapidated National Park access roads if we had that money in the general fund. As a self-described “rabid tree-hugger,” I cannot ignore that.
The question Jefferson County should be asking is: How can we help the developer move more quickly?
Jean Ball is a resident of Quilcene.
