Community Government

Plot on Hunt Street eyed as possible future site of affordable housing

An effort by the president of Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank to return ownership of vacant land to the city for affordable housing hit a road bump, threatening to leave the property undeveloped for another two years.

Ron Coen, board president and co-founder of FISH, asked the city earlier this year about its interest in using roughly 1 acre of property along Hunt Street for affordable housing. The land is west of Highway 16 near Tacoma Community College’s Gig Harbor campus.

The property is at the end of Hunt Street, directly west of Highway 16. Photo by Vince Dice

Property ownership

The city previously owned the land and deeded it to FISH in 2018, under the stipulation that the nonprofit build “a permanent home” there within five years. The parties extended the contract until December 2028. It calls for ownership of the property to revert to the city if FISH didn’t make progress.

Since then, FISH has moved into a new 11,500-square-foot home at 4303 Burnham Ave. 

Coen said the food bank determined several years ago that building a food bank on Hunt Street was unfeasible. Now FISH wants the land used for housing.

“We think the property shouldn’t be sitting there unused,” he said in a phone interview.

City officials agree the parcels at 3607 and 3611 Hunt Street could be used for an affordable housing development. But they have reservations about details of the ownership transfer.

FISH sent a proposal on March 13 that did not mention affordable housing, they said. It also included a previously undiscussed requirement that could lower developer interest and decrease the number of units built there.

This land on Hunt Street, adjacent to Highway 16, is a possible future site of affordable housing. Photo by Vince Dice

FISH may want to lease back some space

That requirement, included in the contract posted online by the city, appears to mandate that any building on the property set aside at least 3,000 square feet of space that can be leased to FISH. Asked about that clause, Coen said he could not “get into details,” but described it as an option, rather than a requirement. He said he hopes to continue working with the city.

City staff wrote in documents that they are committed to building affordable housing, but recommend the council not enter into the agreement with FISH. They suggested waiting for the contract to sunset in 2028, “to preserve development flexibility that aligns with Council’s strategic priorities of affordable housing.”

At a March 26 City Council meeting, Coen said he was “confused.” FISH’s board, he said, “agreed to turn the property over for affordable housing.”

Mayor Mary Barber said in response that she “would suggest your attorneys and our attorneys have a conversation.”

Reached by phone after the meeting, Shea Smiley, the city’s housing, health and human services manager, said she could not speak to what might happen next. The city needs clarification on FISH’s proposal, she said, but it remains interested in building affordable housing on the property. 

“We’re always looking for more opportunities for affordable housing,” she said. “The city is always wanting to continue conversations that might result in affordable housing.”