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2026 is here. These are the stories we expect to be covering this year

Posted on January 2nd, 2026 By: Vince Dice

Get ready to learn a new word: Semiquincentennial.

It means 250th anniversary. You’ll be hearing it leading up to July 4, 2026, as the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

You’ll also be hearing a lot about football, or as we call it in America, soccer. The men’s soccer World Cup visits Seattle for games in June and July.

Organizers designated the nearby cities of Tacoma and Bremerton as “Fan Zones,” with activities and celebrations planned for visiting fans. Undoubtedly, some of those fans will stay in and visit Gig Harbor.

At Gig Harbor Now, we’ll cover the local angles of those stories. But we’ll be more focused on the Gig Harbor news you can’t find anywhere else — including the following.

These are some of the stories we expect to cover in 2026.

A collage of images portraying what we expect to be big stories in 2026. From top left, a sign at the new Ivar’s location in Uptown; the 38th Avenue and 56th Street intersection; the ballot drop box in Purdy; a WSDOT map of upcoming culvert projects; a rendering of fields at the Gig Harbor Sports Complex; and the Fox Island Bridge.

Education

The Peninsula School District has a levy request before voters on Feb. 10. The three-year Educational Program and Operations Levy would replace a similar measure that voters approved in 2023.

If voters approve the renewal, the EPO levy would generate $35.8 million in 2027, $37.8 million in 2028 and $39.8 million in 2029. Proceeds supplement staffing and operating costs not covered by the state.

How to fund schools?

Elsewhere, the Legislature will continue its efforts to shore up K-12 funding formulas. Inflation, rapid advances in technology, rising insurance costs and loss of federal funding are some of the factors creating a shortfall, even as districts’ spending grows year, after year.

The biggest issue is how teachers are paid. A complete overhaul of compensation formulas is needed, according to district financial staff.

Will Peninsula School District once again dodge the bullet and balance its budget without layoffs? Possibly, but it’s a given there will be non-renewals of contracts to shrink staffing. And it’s likely there will more internal shuffling of teachers and principals like that which caused a public outcry this year.

Business

We will keep a close eye on the future of the building at the corner of Harborview Drive and Pioneer Way, which was vacated this week by Heritage Distilling. It’s one of the most prominent spots along the downtown waterfront.

We also look forward to the opening of an Ivar’s Seafood Bar in Uptown, expected as soon as February.

Signs proclaim the new Ivar’s planned for Uptown. Photo by Vince Dice

Parks

The Gig Harbor Sports Complex will take another step toward completion with the opening of Phase 1A. Phase 1A, a project of the city and the Tom Taylor YMCA, includes two lighted, synthetic-turf fields for soccer, football, lacrosse and more. The city initially expected Phase 1A to open in February, but it announced late last month that weather caused delays. “As a result, the mayor has extended the construction contract to April 1, 2026,” according to the city’s Dec. 31 Gig-a-Byte newsletter.

View of all phases of the sports complex. Phase 1B was completed in 2025.

PenMet completed structure removal and site grading at its Peninsula Gardens site at Wollochet and Fillmore drives in 2025. Next up will be finalizing design documents and permitting applications. PenMet says construction is expected to continue through 2027.

Elections

If you didn’t get enough of the 26th Legislative District state Senate election in 2025, you’re in for a treat. The position is back on the ballot this year.

Democrat Deb Krishnadasan defeated Republican Michelle Caldier in November 2025 to keep the Senate seat. Pierce County councilmembers and Kitsap County commissioners appointed Krishnadasan in January 2025 to replace Emily Randall, newly elected to the U.S. House.

Sen. Deb Krishnadasan campaigns in Bremerton in September 2025. Photo by Meegan M. Reid/Kitsap Sun

Last fall’s election was for the remainder of the term to which Randall was originally elected, which ends this year. This fall, voters will elect a state senator for a full term.

Both 26th District House seats also are up this fall, as they are in every even-numbered year. Two Gig Harbor Republicans have already filed campaigns with the state Public Disclosure Commission indicating they will challenge Democrat Adison Richards for Position 1.

They are Katy Cornell, a pastor and nonprofit leader; and David Olson, a Peninsula School Board member who ran unsuccessfully for state Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2024.

PDC filings show no challengers yet to Caldier for position No. 2. Nor has Caldier announced whether she plans to seek re-election to the House or make another run at the Senate.

Transportation

38th Avenue work

Construction on a revamp of 38th Avenue between 56th and Hunt streets should begin this spring.

The project includes a roundabout at 38th and 56th, bike lanes and sidewalks on 38th, and other improvements. The roundabout in particular has been controversial with neighbors, but according to the city: “This intersection is expected to reach a failing level of service” within six years. “A roundabout would eventually be required, so instead of replacing the signal now and then building a roundabout later, we’re going straight to the long-term solution.”

The city plans to host an open house about the project this spring.

38th Avenue looking north across 56th Street. Photo by Ted Kenney

Wollochet Drive turn lanes

The city of Gig Harbor hopes to begin work on two projects intended to improve traffic on Wollochet Drive at Highway 16.

The project involves a right-turn lane from eastbound Wollochet to westbound Highway 16; and a right-turn lane from the eastbound 16 off-ramp to westbound Wollochet. Work should begin this summer.

Highway 16 in Gorst

This project is outside Gig Harbor, but locals who travel to Kitsap County will feel its impacts. The Washington State Department of Transportation this fall announced plans to replace five culverts in or near Gorst — including two on Highway 16 between Gorst and Port Orchard. Construction will start in the spring and drag on through fall 2026.

Culvert replacement projects on Highway 16 in Gorst will slow people traveling between Gig Harbor and Kitsap County in 2026.

Fox Island Bridge

We will be watching for Pierce County’s Type, Size and Location study for a new Fox Island Bridge. The county expected to have the study complete by the end of 2025.

The study will flesh out some details such as the likely location of stormwater retention ponds, and the reasons the county is considering placing a roundabout at the intersection of Warren Drive and Fox Island Bridge Road. What it won’t have – and what probably won’t be unveiled in 2026 – is a decision on a final bridge route; the specific homes and parcels that will be impacted if the bridge gets built; or even information on when the bridge will be built, since deferral of the work remains.

A Pierce County photo of the Fox Island Bridge.

Commercial Fishing Homeport

Another year has come and gone without Gig Harbor’s commercial fishing fleet getting its homeport near Ancich Park.

Ancich Park as seen from the eastern shore of Gig Harbor. City plans call for the Commercial Fishing Homeport on the right of this image.

The homeport has been on the horizon since 2012, with construction delayed for myriad reasons. The latest culprit: Working through a byzantine federal permitting process.

The soonest construction could begin is July 2026.

What’s missing from this list? If you know of a big story we should be watching in 2026, submit a news tip here or email [email protected].

Christina T. Henry and Ted Kenney contributed to this story.