Evans Vista Housing Development Master Plan

March 2024 Update!

  • City Council approved the Evans Vista Master Plan during the November 20, 2023 meeting.
  • In early 2024, the Master Plan architect team, Thomas Architecture Studio, submitted a preliminary plat application to subdivide the property so that tracts can be sold to either one or multiple developers to build housing. The plat will identify phases for development.
  • The City’s planning team is currently reviewing the preliminary plat application. The preliminary plat will be subject to a public hearing and hearing examiner decision.
  • PCD Director Evans Vista Presentation to Jefferson County Home Builder’s Association and Jefferson County Chamber State of Housing: March 2024
  • The City will be hiring staff support to obtain additional infrastructure funding
  • The City will then develop an RFP to obtain developer response/interest to the plan
  • The City is in the process of executing a grant agreement with Department of Commerce to help build the sewer lift station serving Evans Vista.
  • Design and construction of the lift station in 2024 and 2025.

Purpose
Like in other areas of Washington State and the nation, the lack of local affordable housing supply has devastating ripple effects on families, critical services, our education system, and our local economy. Rapidly rising house prices have driven out individuals and families who have long lived and worked in Port Townsend. Housing is one of five focus areas in the City’s Strategic Plan, calling on the City to, “establish systems to support diverse housing options with perpetual affordability.”

The City of Port Townsend has acquired 14-acres at Evans Vista to support development of a new neighborhood. Before acquisition, the City performed initial outreach to housing providers and other housing advocates to gauge interest in the property for a range of housing types and affordability. Subsequently, the City performed due diligence to determine zoning and infrastructure requirements and completed a cultural resources survey (no significant findings).

The City has obtained financial assistance for planning and development of the property. $3.1 million from the Washington State Legislature supported land acquisition and will assist with required infrastructure for development. Jefferson County has awarded American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the City which will assist in the master planning and entitlement of the project. These ARPA funds will be used to pay for services to the firm(s) selected through this RFQ process.

Evans Vista is just south of the Rainier Street roundabout on Sims Way. The property is located inside the Rainier and Upper Sims Way Subarea and is supported by the accompanying plan adopted by City Council in 2019. The development of a mix of 100-150 housing units, at a minimum, is meant to deliver urgently-needed supply and to support affordability needs currently lacking in Port Townsend and to activate the Evans Vista neighborhood as part of the area’s emerging commercial and business environment.

Background/Vision:

Diverse, quality, affordable and stable housing in Port Townsend is a critical underpinning success factor for our strong local economy, local sustainability and resilience, and our collective social well-being and quality of life.  Housing is paramount to an equitable, healthy and inclusive community, and getting it right helps sustain and strengthen Port Townsend’s unique identity with strong historical roots and a creative and intentional approach to the future. ​

The Evans Vista Neighborhood can be a true forerunner in that vision, while harmonizing with the existing vision described in the Rainier Subarea Plan and helping to catalyze momentum at a regional scale. ​

Evans Vista aims to be a place where people live, work and play – a home for young families who can walk or ride to school or individuals who can walk to local employment in the Rainier Subarea, the Port or the Hospital; a destination for those seeking a coffee with friends, services, or childcare; and a community asset that nests into the existing trail and parks network for all to enjoy and be proud of. 

Read Planning and Community Development Director, Emma Bolin's, Google Review from the Future: Evans Vista 2030.

Milestones to Date

Evans Vista Master Plan Council approval Public Meeting November 20, 2023
Joint Planning Commission and City Council Meeting Work Session Monday, October 9, 2023, 6:00 p.m. at City Council Chambers, Final Presentation to City Council and Planning Commission
City Council Briefing Public Meeting Monday, August 7, 2023, 6:00 p.m. at City Council Chambers re: financial analysis, outreach summary and two design options
Public Outreach Virtual Event Virtual Event

Thursday, July 27th, 2023 at 6:00pm click for Zoom link 

Public Outreach Booth/ Public Event Thursday, July 20, 2023, Concerts on the Dock at City Pier: Booth available at 3pm, music at 5pm
Special Planning Commission Meeting (financial analysis of design options presentation) Public Meeting Wednesday, July 19, 2023,  City Council Chambers
Trash and encampment cleanup of Evans Vista site Staff July 5-7
Brush mowing and civil survey Staff July 2023

Planning Commission Outreach Session on Neighborhood Conceptual Site Plan

 

Public Meeting

June 22, 2023, 6:30 p.m., Council Chambers

Wetland Delineation Staff May 2023

2023 Rhody Festival Cake Picnic at Pope Marine Park, 3:00p.m.

Public

Saturday, May 20, 2023

Resource and Education Event & Cleanup Kick-off

Staff and those in our community experiencing homelessness

April 17, 2023, 12:00 noon at the end of the cul-de-sac west of the DSHS building (2507 Evans Vista)

Evans Vista Master Plan Kick-off Presentation to City Council

Staff

February 21, 2023

Selection of Master Plan Firm – Thomas Architecture Studios (TAS).  Stay tuned for more engagement opportunities and updates to this website as TAS gets started!

Council

November 7, 2022

Selected Firm Interviews

Staff

October 27 and 28, 2022

Statement of Qualifications Due

 

Staff

October 21, 2022

Q & A Publication

Staff

October 18, 2022

  • January 2021– The City of Port Townsend submitted our 2021 legislative agenda to our Washington State delegation.  The agenda included a request for funding for infrastructure and land to support affordable housing.​
  • June 2021 – The City was notified of receipt of two grants for housing and infrastructure to support housing. These grants total approximately $3.1 million and are largely are result of our State delegation’s efforts. A special thanks to Representative Tharinger. ​
  • August 2021 – The City entered into a purchase and sale contract for the purchase of property at the end of Evans Vista Street.  ​
  • September 1, 2021 – City staff provided the City Council Infrastructure and Development Council Committee an overview of the property.​
  • October & November 2021 – City staff performed outreach to the Housing Solutions Network and to housing providers to gauge interest in the property for a range of housing types and affordability.​
  • October & November 2021 – City staff performed due diligence to determine zoning and infrastructure requirements for property.
  • November 1, 2021 – The PT City Council authorized a cultural resources survey to be completed for the subject property.
  • December 1, 2021  – Grant agreement completed and cultural resources survey initial findings were provided by our consultant.
  • March 2022 – Applied for $2.5m in support from Congressman Kilmer’s congressionally-directed spending fund community process (also applied in 2021)
  • May/June 2022 – Rep. Kilmer’s panel ranks Evans Vista top of list for his support through Appropriations Committee
  • July 2022 – House Appropriations Committee and House supported the spending; signing by President Biden expected
  • August 2022 – Jefferson County commits ARPA funding to Evans Vista Master Plan

 

Relevant Documents

 

Community Engagement
The City will begin public engagement with those who are currently camping on the site to connect them with safe housing opportunities in our area and seek input to co-develop a vision for the mixed-income housing to be built at this site one day. Learn more about the April 17th outreach event here

Click Here to view the Press Release

Click Here to watch the housing video.

 

Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow

Evans Vista property is approximately 14 acres located south of Sims Way before the first roundabout
View of Evans Vista south from first roundabout on Sims Way
The Rainier Subarea Plan envisions the Evans Vista neighborhood as a live-work district.
Evans Vista is zoned Mixed Light Manufacturing and Commercial in Section 17.31.060 Port Townsend Municipal Code.
Council member Monica MickHagar and Public Works Director Steve King Talk with a Jefferson County Public Health Employee
Interested residents brave the cold to speak with City staff about the Evans Vista neighborhood master plan
Interested residents brave the cold to speak with City staff about the Evans Vista neighborhood master plan
The Evans Vista Master Plan Project Team spoke with City residents at the 2023 Rhody Festival Cake Picnic
The Evans Vista Master Plan Project Team spoke with City residents at the 2023 Rhody Festival Cake Picnic”
City of Port Townsend Outreach Survey
Evans Vista photos after trash clean up and brush mowing
Evans Vista photos after trash clean up and brush mowing
Evans Vista photos after trash clean up and brush mowing
City Manager, Mayor Faber, Director Bolin and Amos Callender from TAS speak about Evans Vista on KPTZ
City team visits Evan Vista to view recent clean up and brush mowing
The Project team talks to people visiting the July 20th Concerts on the Dock booth
The Project team talks to people visiting the July 20th Concerts on the Dock booth
Community site tour held 10.9.2023. Thomas Architecture Studios orients participants to the site and preferred design concept.
Community site tour held 10.9.2023. Thomas Architecture Studios orients participants to the site and preferred design concept.
Community site tour held 10.9.2023. Thomas Architecture Studios orients participants to the site and preferred design concept.
Community site tour held 10.9.2023. Thomas Architecture Studios orients participants to the site and preferred design concept.
Presentation at City Hall
Conceptual Renderings
Conceptual Renderings
Conceptual Renderings
Evans Vista Site Plan Recap
Evans Vista Options for Near Term Actions