Dawn4CityCouncil

BIG RED FLAG: Hi all, I'm hoping to get as much info out to our community as possible and am continuing to research the Notch Property and how it fits into the City's transparency (hope to complete that soon). But, just came across something very interesting: COBI posted its RFQ (Request for Proposal) on Apr 22, 2024 to seek developers and operators for a 100+ unit low income housing project on the old police site property. That RFQ (see below) only included the existing City Owned Property, it did not include the Notch Property (180 Olympic).

I don't yet have access to the RFQ responses or responders, but it will be quite telling if those responses reflect city owned property on Apr 22, 204, or if those responses included the Notch Property.
The Notch property purchase was authorized on June 11, 2024 following an Exec Session on real estate/legal matter. It is VITAL to note, that the agenda item authorizing this purchase was added to the agenda that night - no public comment or announcement - which may be basis for OPMA violation.

In any event, if you've read this far, I will continue with my research and am welcoming additional information.

At the very least, the city should put out a new RFQ with the proper property available listed. The previous applicants, including LIHI, should have the opportunity to bid on the current land, and LIHI's existing exclusive contract should be nullified due to improper RFQ response.

Below are the source documents for my info above.
https://www.bainbridgewa.gov/bids.aspx?bidID=150
https://granicus_production_attachments.s3.amazonaws.com/...
https://granicus_production_attachments.s3.amazonaws.com/...
Note 8H on the minutes: https://bainbridgewa.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php...
Note 8E on the consent agenda: https://granicus_production_attachments.s3.amazonaws.com/...

Bids • RFQ - Affordable Housing Developer and Operator Bid Publication Date/Time: 4/22/2024 1:35 PM; Closing Date/Time: 5/24/2024 4:00 PM

CALL FOR DUE DILLIGENCE FROM CITY COUNCIL:
At last night’s Council Meeting scores of people attended and spoke of their legitimate concerns regarding the proposed 625 Low Income Housing Project (including our Ground Water Management Plan) ultimately, collectively requested that Council do their due diligence. At the end of the public portion of the meeting (after the galley had cleared out), some council members were dismissive of those concerns, but at least one council member said they might be open to exploring VIABLE affordable housing options. (Please note there are multiple viable options on the table). I appreciate that.

But I would really like to see the viability of the 625 project. That is what people are looking for. Fiscal accountability, overall costs, contingency plans, infrastructure requirements, environmental sensitivity, social service infrastructure, proper process and public engagement, construction timelines, traffic and pedestrian intersection safety, appropriate zoning, long term management, population served, LIHI sustainability, partnership agreements and more - these are the questions you would ask of the alternative sites, I am asking council to probe, answer and share these same qualifications for consideration for the 625 and LIHI.

There is no question we need affordable housing, and more of it on the Island. No one is debating that. We can get affordable housing right on this Island – evidence of that was in abundance last night! But simply ploughing ahead with the 625 without due diligence, the same diligence you are requesting of viable alternative options, rings false. Thank you for considering options and keeping your mind open to getting affordable housing right for our entire community. I ask that you pause the 625 until all options can be equally and soundly vetted, proper zoning is complete and our Comprehensive Plan is adopted.

For folks hoping to add their voices to the conversation, please plan to attend the Planning Commission meeting Thurs night 6pm until it gavels out. If you are comfortable speaking, please plan to – all of our voices are vital and valuable. Last night was an example of the strength of our community – we must hold our Council members accountable. Thank you.

I still hold a vision for our Island that is inclusive, affordable, exciting, environmentally sound, fiscally responsible and community oriented. We need an Island-wide approach, thank you for holding that vision too, I will continue to work toward that in any way I can.

Hi All,
I wanted to share my letter to City Council from Aug 19, 2025 re: the 625 Affordable Housing proposed project. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns or comments.

Aug 19, 2025 Letter to City Council re: 625 Winslow housing project

Dear Members of the Bainbridge Island City Council,

I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) development at 625 Winslow Way E, and to urge the Council to pause this project at this time. Proceeding further—spending staff time, taxpayer dollars, and public goodwill—without meaningful community engagement, appropriate zoning, and foundational studies is premature, counterproductive, and fiscally risky.

While I support the goal of increasing affordable housing on Bainbridge Island, this particular project raises significant issues that merit closer scrutiny. I fear that the financial burden placed on taxpayers will undermine the very concept of affordability and risk displacing the very people we aim to support—teachers, city and park staff, small business owners, young families, and seniors on fixed incomes.

Wrong Site. Wrong Process.

Process Integrity and Public Oversight: The 625 Winslow project appears to be unfolding in reverse—committing public funds and initiating design before completing foundational due diligence. Some of my concerns include:

·Premature financial commitments: Over $3 million has already been committed to LIHI before feasibility and impact studies are complete. Plus, an additional $1.08 million in land purchase (this does not include legal fees).

Reactive zoning changes: Upzoning is being pursued and crafted to fit a predetermined design. This is a potentially dangerous and disingenuous process, and has in my opinion, significantly eroded public trust. It's simultaneously placed an undue burden on the Planning Commission. Not only that, but we are also looking at an additional cost of $90,000 to LMN consultants to help finish the Winslow sub-area plan, which really does need to be complete before any design elements can be decided upon. That this project should determine our Winslow Subarea zoning seems crazy to me and certainly appears to be what is driving the limited scope of zoning and planning at this point.

Infrastructure ambiguity: It remains unclear who will bear the cost of utility, stormwater, and road upgrades. We know the sewer system is already strained and we do not have a completed groundwater management plan.

Missing impact studies: Environmental, transportation, social services and infrastructure assessments are incomplete, unavailable or non-existent. We have all witnessed the lack of traffic impact and planning around the Head of the Bay project – I would expect at the very minimum traffic and impact studies (during construction and completed project) would need to be done and assessed before any design could be considered.·

Lack of coordination with WSDOT: The project’s proximity to the ferry terminal demands regional traffic and transit analysis. This corner is already hazardous. Limiting sight lines, building walls, and adding significant vehicle and pedestrian elements need to be considered and thought out well in advance of any development or design agreement. We simply cannot afford to charge forward with the project and then clean up afterward, we’ve seen this play out recently at the Head of the Bay project and the Madison improvement project.

Parking: The assumption that lower-income residents do not need vehicles is both troubling and unrealistic. Accessing affordable goods, commuting to jobs outside Winslow, attending youth sports/school functions/childcare/etc, or reaching medical clinics all require reliable transportation.

The proposal now includes an additional $2 million for parking infrastructure—yet even with this increase, the plan still falls short of meeting residents’ practical needs. This raises serious concerns about both fiscal responsibility and the lived realities of future tenants. Is it really low-income housing when each parking stall alone will cost $80,000-100,000.

Social Services Infrastructure: Bainbridge Island’s social service infrastructure is limited and its current capacity is being strained. Responsible housing policy must be paired with investments in the social infrastructure that helps people thrive, not just survive. I urge the City to commission a transparent, equity-focused social impact assessment to evaluate service capacity and guide future development.

Location: This valuable parcel could be revenue-generating and welcoming. That no other ideas have been entertained for this site is also troubling – we have no way of knowing how that parcel could potentially help fund housing and transportation projects. In contrast, the proposed LIHI site and massive scale requires upzoning, taxpayer subsidies, and numerous unforeseen but predictable hurdles and taxpayer dollars. I do not believe we should be driven simply by potential grant dollars to make a project fit the housing needs of our community. We should be taking an Island wide approach, with all of our non-profit, taxing agencies and infrastructure into account. Since 2021, our current pacing of adding low and affordable homes, integrating a diverse array of housing into our low and affordable inventory should continue and the City can better allocate its housing funds to projects that are underway and are currently awaiting funding.

In Closing I respectfully urge the Council to pause further funding and approvals for the LIHI development until the following actions are completed. I urge council to undertake this process publicly, with proper order of operations (zoning, community engagement, fiscal impact, best use, coordination with our local Schools, Fire, Social Services and more).

We all agree that affordable housing is a priority, and there are current projects in the works. Smaller scale projects, but ones that integrate into the community and that are more easily funded and maintained. I urge you to pause this process at this point and proceed with alternative sites for low-income housing investment.

Bainbridge Island deserves affordable housing solutions that are financially sound, socially responsible, locally accountable, and community supported.

Thank you for your work and dedication to our community, it is much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Dawn Janow

Dear friends,

Unfortunately, this was not our race. Early results show that I will not be moving on to the General Election in November. I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who have been instrumental in the campaign, and who have championed communication and collaboration as a model for government. I am so grateful to each and every one of you!

Please join me in wishing the best of luck to both Mike and Sarah as they advance.

Thank you National Women's Political Caucus of Washington (NWPC-WA)!

Congrats Dawn4CityCouncil, Lara Lant, Hannah for Mount Vernon City Council and Vote Stefanie for Mount Vernon City Council!!! You've been endorsed!

We love seeing the support for from all the different creatures on our lovely Island. Voting closes August 5, so make sure to get your ballots in and vote Dawn!

As we head into the final 10 days before the election, I have been overwhelmed by the support and kind words. If you have not yet endorsed my campaign, please feel free to add your name here. And share this page with your friends. https://www.dawn4citycouncil.org/endorsements

Here is some of what we are hearing:
"Bainbridge is unique in that, unlike most cities, fire protection, libraries, parks (with the exception of 3 parcels), garbage service, and many of the public utilities, such as sewer and water outside the city core, are managed by separate agencies. As a current Park commissioner, Dawn is the only candidate who has a true grasp of the issues from the perspective of these partner agencies. This will help her be an effective voice for cooperation and collaboration between the city, other government agencies and private providers serving the island. "

Endorsements for Dawn Janow | Trusted Leadership Backed by the Community See why community leaders, organizations, and neighbors across Bainbridge Island and beyond are endorsing Dawn Janow for City Council. Trusted, collaborative, and results-driven.

Thank you to everyone who’s shared their voice in support of Dawn for City Council. Your letters remind us what this campaign is all about—community, collaboration, and a vision for the future we build together.

Let’s keep building a bright future we believe in—Vote Dawn for City Council by August 5th!

Ballots are out now, Bainbridge! Make sure to cast your vote for Dawn Janow for City Council by August 5!

Drop your ballot in the mail or at:
📍 School District Office — near the aquatic center

No stamp needed. Make your voice count!

Thank you, Ken Dewitt, for such a kind letter of support.

"I enthusiastically endorse Dawn Janow for the City Council South Ward position in the primary election on Tuesday, August 5. She has her fingers on the pulse of our community. As a parent of two children who attended Bainbridge schools, she was actively involved in their education and extracurricular activities, including youth sports. As a Roller Hockey parent, she led the project to refurbish the rink at Battle Point Park. She and her husband, Gordon, own a company that requires daily communication and coordination with people and countries worldwide. This keeps her up-to-date on economic and political issues both local and world-wide and gives her a first-hand perspective regarding the challenges of operating a business here on Bainbridge.

"I’ve had the honor to work with her as a fellow Park Commissioner for the past 5 years. From the beginning, she enthusiastically jumped in, wanting to learn about the District’s operations and budget. When another city declined to host a Thomas Dambo sculpture, she lobbied hard for it to be built and placed here on Bainbridge. Pia the Troll has arguably become one of the island’s greatest tourist draws.

"As with all elected officials, Dawn and I do not agree on everything. However, I have great respect for her opinions, thought processes, and her ability to balance idealism with the pragmatism needed by an elected leader. I believe she will bring well-rounded experience and a much-needed voice to our City Council. Please vote for Dawn August 5."

Ken DeWitt

The B.I.Stander Podcast Society & Culture Podcast · Updated Weekly · The B.I.STANDER Podcast - 978557 Is a conversational podcast unique to Bainbridge Island and Seattle that covers arts, culture, civics, current events, science, sports, technology, politics, island a…

Had a blast talking with my friend Tim Self earlier this week. Feel free to have a listen!

The B.I.Stander Podcast Society & Culture Podcast · Updated Weekly · The B.I.STANDER Podcast - 978557 Is a conversational podcast unique to Bainbridge Island and Seattle that covers arts, culture, civics, current events, science, sports, technology, politics, island a…