City News Bytes: Got to Love that New Water Tank Sprouting in Winslow, What’s Next For the Head of Bay, Do You Know What SEPA Means?

You might not notice the water tanks that lurk behind the softball field on the northwest corner of the Bainbridge High School property. One is an old Kelly Green colored water tower that has been anchored in the same spot, clustered among giant fir trees, since 1973. If it were human, it would be almost old enough to collect Medicare and qualify for Social Security.

Its advanced age is one reason why the City of Bainbridge Island decided to replace the so-called “Winslow Water Tank” with a new 2-million-gallon elevated tank to improve reliability, meet seismic standards, increase fire flow, and support the 2,450 customers served in Winslow and Fletcher Bay with better water quality. Tank 1 was constructed in 1973, and according to city engineers and other experts, is not up to current seismic standards and is nearing the end of its useful life.

In short, the ongoing project consists of demolishing Tank 1 (the senior citizen that holds 1 million gallons of water) and constructing the new 2-million-gallon elevated water tank – that on closer inspection looks like a spaceship that might have served as an extra in “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”.  Another water tower – “Tank 2” – will be retained but will be used only for back up and emergency use. It was constructed in the 1990s.

As the new water tank takes hold, it will increase fire flow and water pressure to the Winslow System. As a result, off-site project improvements are being made that will create new water pressure zones for customers. You might already have experienced some of this work unfolding in the greater Winslow area. Traffic impacts began at the beginning of the month and will continue. See more here:  Off-Site Water Tank and PRV Improvements.

Head of the Bay Fish Project is Complete, Now onto the Non-Motorized Phase

The Eagle Harbor Drive at Cooper Creek infrastructure project – better known as Head of the Bay – opened this week, and on time! Beware, though, that work will continue with intermittent flagging. Read on . . .

• October 6, at 7 a.m.: Both Lanes opened. Hallelujah!
• On October 7: Detour routes were phasing out.
• October 9, morning: Both lanes were officially opened to traffic on a daily basis, but with daytime flagging to support finishing work on the culvert and the installation of the new Eagle Harbor/Wyatt water line. City officials say we should expect some delays, but the road will be open.
• Eagle Harbor/Wyatt Water Line: Installation will begin at the culvert and extend north and east to Eakin Drive. In flagged areas, bicyclists will be directed through first, before vehicle traffic. Project staff are working with the contractor to develop a plan that ensures safe conditions for both vehicles and bikes outside of work hours, city officials says. More details to come. Water line work is expected to be completed near the end of October. The new water line will replace an older system in preparation for the remainder of non-motorized improvements for Eagle Harbor Drive.
• Drainage Improvements: Once the water line work wraps up, crews will begin drainage improvements along the corridor. One-way flagging will remain necessary during work hours. This work is expected to be completed in December.

(Note: The water line replacement and drainage work were originally planned to occur alongside the culvert work. Unfortunately, longer-than-expected federal funding reviews and a complex bidding process delayed the project.)

• 

  Spring 2026: The Eagle Harbor Drive/Wyatt Way Non-Motorized Improvements begin!

The City would like to thank residents for their patience as they wrap up this critical work to restore salmon passage, improve tidal flow, create safer conditions, and strengthen Bainbridge Island’s infrastructure.

Learn More: Eagle Harbor Fish Passage at Cooper Creek | Bainbridge Island, WA – Official Website

Learn More About Non-Motorized Projects: Eagle Harbor Drive / Wyatt Way Non-Motorized Improvements Project | Bainbridge Island, WA – Official Website

More Updates on Affordable Housing. Do You Know What SEPA is or What it Means? 

At a recent meeting, the Bainbridge Island City Council scheduled Ordinance No. 2025-21 for a public hearing on October 14, 2025. Ordinance No. 2025-21 would amend BIMC Section 18.12.020 to provide flexibility in floor area ratio (FAR), parking and maximum building height for 100% affordable housing projects located in the Central Core and Ferry Terminal zoning districts east of State Route 305.

SEPA Appeal

On September 26, 2025, Dawn Janow filed an appeal of the SEPA Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS) for Ordinance No. 2025-21.

Under BIMC 16.04.170, according to city officials, SEPA appeals are heard by the Bainbridge Island Hearing Examiner, who will set a briefing schedule and, if necessary, a hearing date. Because of this process, the appeal will not be resolved in time for the October 14 City Council public hearing. As a result, the October 14 Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 2025-21hearing has been canceled. A new public hearing date will be determined after the Hearing Examiner issues a decision.

What is SEPA?

The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) requires government agencies in Washington to evaluate potential environmental impacts before adopting policies (such as those established by Ordinance 2025-21) or approving projects (such as the 625 Winslow Way affordable housing project). Reviews consider impacts such as traffic, water quality, noise, wildlife habitat, and community resources.

For the 625 Winslow site specifically, a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment and Geotechnical Report was completed on May 31, 2024. The study concluded positively, and no concerns were raised.

As the project progresses through permitting, a separate, additional SEPA review for the project will be required before construction can begin. At this time, the 625 Winslow Way project remains in the preapplication phase. A formal application has not yet been filed.

Learn More

All completed studies (including traffic analysis and financial feasibility) along with the full project timeline and FAQs are available HERE.

Background on Project: Affordable Housing Project at 625 Winslow Way E | Bainbridge Island, WA – Official Website

Information, pictures and graphics courtesy of the City of Bainbridge Island.

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