The Island Gateway

"The Lorax" Trees for Global Benefits Fundraiser - March 3rd!

2012-02-03T10:43:00.000-08:00

SAVE THE DATE - BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!

The Lorax is coming to
Bainbridge Island!

Join your community for a private showing of Dr Seuss'
"The Lorax" on opening weekend to raise funds to support EcoTrust - Uganda's Trees for Global Benefits initiative.

Your ticket will grant you access to a pre-movie reception where there will be refreshments and kid-friendly activities, followed by a private showing of Dr Seuss' "The Lorax" movie. All proceeds from ticket sales will support EcoTrust - Uganda's TREES FOR GLOBAL BENEFITS initiative, assisting small farmers in Uganda to plant and maintain trees, a program that helps to offset global carbon impacts while improving economic opportunity.

GO TO: www.growbi.com/lorax

DJC: Kitsap County gets its first LEED gold office

2012-02-02T10:41:00.001-08:00

Daily Journal of Commerce

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

A development firm namedAsani teamed up with PHC Construction and Coates Design Architects to turn aneighborhood eyesore into an energy efficient building.

All three companies nowhave their offices in the Granero Office Building on Bainbridge Island. Asani said the project recently became KitsapCounty’s first LEED gold building.

The structure was amunicipal shed built in the 1950s and used for truck maintenance. Today, it is an energy efficient,light-filled office space. The projectwas completed in 2009.

Marty Sievertson, ownerand president of PHC Construction, said he was delighted to participate in theproject and is happy with the results. “Our people really enjoy the open airy feel and collaborative workenvironment that was created here.”

More than half of theoriginal structure was reused. The newbuilding has exterior shades to reduce light pollution, extremely low-waterfixtures including waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets. The landscaping requires no irrigation. Interior lights are on timers or occupancysensors and 75 percent of the building is daylit. FSC wood was used for the majority of theframing and all composite wood is free or urea formaldehyde.

The building is near theBainbridge Island ferry terminal at 710 John Nelson Lane N.E. Nearby bus routes offer alternative commutingoptions.

Bainbridge art museum's opening delayed a year - KITSAP SUN

2012-01-22T22:32:00.000-08:00

By Tristan Baurick
Published Sunday, January 22, 2012
KITSAP SUN

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND —The slow pace of fundraising and construction has delayed the opening of the West Sound's first art museum by at least a year.

The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art had planned to open its state-of-the-art, $13 million facility on Winslow Way by mid-2012. Now, the opening date isn't likely until late spring or early summer 2013, and is contingent on a $2.3 million fundraising push that museum supporters hope to finish before the summer construction season.

"We were just not making enough (fundraising) progress for it to be responsible of us to move on to the second phase," said Chris Snow, a member of the museum's board, which took shape in 2009.
Last year, the nonprofit museum opened an office, classroom and 95-seat auditorium in an Island Gateway commercial building that will eventually connect with the museum's main exhibition building, which had its foundation completed early this month. The design for the finished building calls for a two-story wedge of steel and glass jutting toward the high-traffic Winslow Way-Highway 305 intersection.

Museum supporters say it will be a landmark building seen by nearly all who visit Winslow by ferry or travel in via the highway.

Totaling 20,000 square feet, the museum will have room for a permanent contemporary art collection, traveling exhibitions, retail space and a coffee shop. The permanent collection will specialize in Bainbridge and Northwest artists.

The museum has raised just over $11 million of its $15.3 million capital campaign goal. The money raised beyond construction costs will help pay for the museum's three-person staff and other operating costs.

The $2.3 million that museum supporters hope to raise in the coming months would boost the board's confidence before it green-lights the final construction phase.

"We just couldn't keep going with construction and sleep well at night," said Snow, who is expected to take over as board president this month.

Fundraising slowed after an initial flurry of dollars from local donors. The museum is searching for off-island funding from corporations, private foundations and government granting agencies before it begins a drive for smaller contributions from individuals and families.

"Initially, we worked with the founders and board members and the relationships they have in funding circles," said Greg Robinson, the museum's executive director. "Now, we're trying to go more broadly."

The museum's biggest success in the broader fundraising arena was obtaining a $502,000 grant from the state last year.

"That helps us leverage other funds," Robinson said. "It's kind of like a ... seal of approval."

A key to drawing dollars from large foundations and corporate donors is proving the museum has strong local support, Robinson said.

That's part of the reason the museum began offering its 60-person capacity classroom and auditorium to various cultural and nonprofit groups for free during the summer. The museum began charging fees for its facilities during the winter.

Kitsap Regional Library, the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce and Sustainable Bainbridge have used the auditorium for community gatherings. The newly formed Winslow Art Center makes regular use of the classroom for drawing and calligraphy classes.

The neighboring Kids Discovery Museum (KiDiMu) has held a summer camp and musical theater performances in the museum's spaces.

"We've been very, very grateful to them," said Susan Sivitz, KiDiMu's executive director. "With the extra space, we were able to double the number of offerings during our summer camp."

The two museums plan to continue their close partnership.

"We're showing we have and deserve broad-based support," said Robinson, who led La Conner's Museum of Northwest Art for five years before joining the Bainbridge museum in late 2010.

Snow expects the art museum and Bainbridge public schools to form a relationship that could include regular student museum visits and art instruction.

He would like to see more groups make use of the auditorium, which has a theater-quality sound and video system.

"Off-island money (sources) will step forward if they know there's a positive momentum of support here," Snow said. "But I think we should be building support from people here on Bainbridge Island on principle because this is the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art."

While raising money hasn't been as easy as expected, Robinson said the work required in planning the building played a larger role in slowing the museum's progress.

"I think during the last year, the organization realized the complexity of the planning process, and how long it would take to (develop) the site," he said.

Adding to the complexity was the recent push to have the building reach gold-level certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. The initial design, which incorporated recycled materials, stormwater collection and several other earth-friendly features, had aimed for a lower silver rating.

An added geothermal mechanical system provided much of the LEED ratings boost the museum wanted. The system, which was completed this month, will pull heat from the ground to warm the building, thereby reducing its dependence on the power grid.

For Robinson, building the museum has encompassed much more than the building itself.
The museum began planning construction and fundraising almost immediately after a group of island art lovers gathered around the art museum idea.

"We've been building a whole new organization, not just a building," he said.

BI Review: Island Gateway - a 2011 community success

2012-01-05T14:43:00.001-08:00

City news dominates 2011 headlines

By DENNIS ANSTINE
Bainbridge Island Review Editor
January 3, 2012 · Updated 4:36 PM

For most people, life on the island does not revolve around the City of Bainbridge.

If you live here and work in Seattle, for example, likely half of your weekday’s waking hours are focused on a job and getting to and from it.

If you rarely leave the island, the city may have a little more to do with your day, but likely not very much.

The city’s business, however, is much more of an emphasis for those whose job focuses on letting community members know how public dollars are being spent and the direction a municipality is traveling in terms of representation.

With that in mind, one could say that the city – including its staff and council – was up to its proverbial neck in a multitude of trials and tribulations during 2011. Some of the headaches were hangovers from the recent past, including: the fatal police shooting of Douglas Ostling; the Bainbridge Ratepayers Alliance lawsuit and the fallout from it; the effect of the Winslow Way reconstruction project on downtown businesses; and dealing with several road emergencies, some of which occurred because of a lack of city maintenance in recent years.

There also were many positives, including: the city reducing the water rates by 45 percent at year’s end for its Winslow users; finishing Winslow Way in late November; signing a 30-year lease with Friends of the Farms; and many, many others – big and small.

The community also voted in four new council members, which could mean that some changes lie ahead since the newly elected officials – Anne Blair, Sarah Blossom, Steve Bonkowski and Dave Ward – campaigned on change to one degree or another. They also promised while campaigning to vet any proposed changes with the community. But that’s for next year.

Positives

The city and the community had many successes, including:

• RePower Bainbridge, which was formed as a result of the city writing three grants that were worth more than $5 million, swung into action by conducting 1,500 free home energy check-ups during a six-month period, with nearly 200 homeowners making energy-saving upgrades. There’s also an added emphasis on having more businesses and nonprofits joining the energy-efficiency movement on the island.

• Island Gateway, the new development at the corner of State Route 305 and Winslow Way, has concluded the back section of the project. Next up: construction of the Bainbridge Island Museum of Artand a retail building that will front the street. Avalara, a growing software company that’s on the island, relocated its more than 100 employees and its headquarters to Island Gateway...

click here to read more --->

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T11:03:00.001-08:00

Runway show offers a glimpse of new store at Island Gateway - BI Review

2011-12-13T12:01:00.000-08:00

By DENNIS ANSTINE
Bainbridge Island Review Editor
December 12, 2011 · Updated 3:01 PM

And now, it can be said, Bainbridge Island has had its own invitation-only fashion show. With more to come.

Willie Wenzlau/For the Review Heather, a model in last Friday’s fashion show at Island Gateway, was one of three women who displayed the collections sold by Aloisa by Kristin Ryann Vogt, a new store that opened last weekend at the new development on Winslow Way.
Willie Wenzlau/For the Review

There was nothing too fancy about last Friday’s Island Gateway event, which served as an entrée to the opening of a new women’s clothing store Saturday in the new development at the intersection of Winslow Way and State Route 305.

The store is named Aloisa by Kristin Ryann Vogt – after the owner and a line of women’s clothing she will be introducing, along with several other collections.

Vogt has owned a women’s clothing store in Poulsbo for four years, but moved to Bainbridge three years ago with the goal of “bringing fashion forward” on the island.

The new 1,000-square-foot store will offer “clothing that’s a little more hip and not everyday wear,” she said. “We will have some clothes for high school girls, but the market is mainly aimed at women 18 to 50.”

Vogt said she enjoyed the Poulsbo store, which is a small boutique that emphasizes casual wear. But she plans to close the Poulsbo store in January in order to focus on her new project.

“This has been my goal for some time,” said Vogt, who has lived in Kitsap for 11 years. “My dad was in textiles and I grew up in the industry.”

She had the opportunity to learn the business first hand and designed her own clothing line as a young woman living in Sarasota, Fla.

She put her passion behind her for many years “and did the family thing, but with the children now old enough, it was time for me to get back into it,” she said.

Her opener drew about 100 people, including existing clientele, community acquaintances and a list of former customers.

Since many of the people knew each other, the ground-floor room of the middle building was loud with laughter and chatter as people moved freely before, during and after the show, which ran for about 20 minutes.

“The intent was to show people where we are going with the new business,” she said. “We want to be inclusive of the community and for people to be excited about what we are doing. We will have another show with a spring collection.”

Vogt said she is well aware of other women clothiers on Bainbridge Island and is determined not be a direct competitor with them.

“We’re going in our own direction just like most people do,” she said. “We are not trying to compete with others on the island. In most instances we won’t be carrying the same lines that others do.”
The store will be open six days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., though Vogt is still undecided on what day the store will be closed.

Contact Bainbridge Island Review Editor Dennis Anstine at editor@bainbridgereview.com or (206) 842-6613.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T09:03:00.001-07:00

Island Gateway takes the LEED: KiDiMu gets silver - Bainbridge Island Review

2011-08-27T20:33:00.000-07:00

By JESSICA HOCH
Bainbridge Island Review Staff Writer
Aug 26 2011

The Island Gateway project is raising the bar for green building in Kitsap County.

The Kids Discovery Museum was recently stamped with the green building seal of approval with a LEED (eldership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, which serves as the benchmark for eco-friendly building. The museum achieved the silver certification, which makes it one of the first buildings in Kitsap County to receive simultaneous interior and exterior ratings.

Eventually all eight projects in the gateway project will be LEED certified, according to Asani's project manager Craden Henderson, which will make it one of the first complexes in Kitsap County and the state to do so.

"With LEED Silver certification, the building itself becomes a learning opportunity and an example of good stewardship of the environment," said KiDiMu's Board President Diane Crowder.

The certification is a national building design standard created by the nonprofit trade organization the U.S. Green Building Council, and was created for better environmental and health performance standards. It rates design, construction and operation of buildings in a host of categories such as new building, core & shell and several others.

The KiDiMu certification is the first of the Island Gateway project, and the other buildings are expected to follow suit as construction finishes. The tenants inside the complex had the option to pursue LEED certification for their building interiors individually.

LEED is a point-based system where building projects earn points for specific building criteria. The number of points determines the level of certification the project receives. A building that is LEED "certified" is the lowest rank followed by silver, gold and platinum as the most prestigious.

With KiDiMu's silver certification, for both the core and shell and the commercial interior, the museum will add to its curriculum. Krzysztofa McDonough, communications and marketing coordinator. said the museum will add a self-guided "Green LEED Tour" to showcase initiatives such as the building's "living roof" and compost systems.

Last Saturday, KiDiMu celebrated the double certification by offering $1 off admission price for attendees who walked or biked. That day, 72 percent of museum guests walked or traveled by a "parent-operated vehicle" (stroller), according to McDonough.

KiDiMu's walkable location from both the ferry and town center; its water and energy saving design; and use of recycled and non-toxic building materials all played a role in the certification, according to Susan Sivitz, the museum's executive director.

"It is fun for tenants who have an interest in the environment since we've basically created a core building that allows them to have a really sustainable interior if they are interested," said Henderson. "Right now the Bainbridge Art Museum building is slated to receive a gold certification, which speaks to how hard they worked on their sustainability initiatives to use products without harmful chemicals, create efficient lighting, etc."

Henderson said that although LEED is a wonderful standard for buildings, Asani tries to do more than just comply with criteria. He estimated that 98 percent of everything that came off the Island Gateway site, including some 2,000 tires, was recycled to avoid the landfill. With such close proximity to the ravine near State Route 305, Henderson said it represented a unique challenge.

"We put in some pretty extensive measures to ensure that the water quality entering the ravine is significantly better when it enters the sound," said Henderson. "Most developers can tell you, they haven't been able to figure that one out," said Henderson.

According to the Green Building Council the cost per square foot for buildings seeking LEED certification falls into the existing range of building costs, and that building sale prices for energy efficient buildings are as much as 10 percent higher, per square foot, than conventional buildings. One 2008 study said LEED buildings command rent premiums of $11.33 per square foot over their non-LEED peers and have a 4.1 percent higher occupancy rate.

Many cities across the country encourage green building through their building permit process. Though Bainbridge has an incentive program for residential green building with the Housing Design Development Program (HDDP), it does not yet offer any for commercial development. Chris Wierzbicki said the city doesn't yet have any plans to develop a green commercial program.

Henderson said the team is energized to see the environmental planning payoff, and is confident that the remaining buildings will see either a gold or silver award.

"We are really proud of the group as a whole for the work that's been done," said Henderson.

Bainbridge Island Review Staff Writer Jessica Hoch can be reached at jhoch@bainbridgereview.com or (206) 842-6613.

Avalara Earns an “A” for Its Career Open House | Inside Bainbridge

2011-08-26T13:48:00.000-07:00

Inside Bainbridge
by Kevin Hawkins on August 26, 2011.

Dozens of job seekers swarmed the new offices of high-tech firm Avalara as the company opened its doors on Wednesday, August 24, for a job fair. Avalara, which is located in the new Island Gateway complex across from the entrance to the Ferry, is the leader in providing sales tax automation for small- and medium-sized businesses. It is one of the fastest-growing companies in the United States and a top employer on the Kitsap Peninsula...

Click here to read article

KiDiMu in the Daily Journal of Commerce!

2011-08-25T22:26:00.000-07:00

KiDiMu LEEDs THE WAY

2011-08-16T13:15:00.000-07:00

Bainbridge Island’s Kids Discovery Museum Receives LEED® Silver Certification Award from the U.S. Green Building Council, Placing it Amongst the Nation’s Leading Buildings in Sustainable Design

Bainbridge Island, Washington - August 15, 2011 - The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has recognized the Kids Discovery Museum (KiDiMu) with a Silver certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The Museum now meets LEED Silver standards for both - Commercial Interiors, and Core and Shell. As part of the new Island Gateway cultural center, KiDiMu provides an outstanding play and learning environment for children in a facility that demonstrates smart and sustainable design and construction.

Designed, developed and built by Coates Design, Asani, and PHC Construction, the KiDiMu building provides an environmentally-healthy and ecologically-friendly public space for Bainbridge Island and visiting families alike.

The new facility not only enables the nonprofit children’s museum to be a sustainability leader and save money, but it also aligns with its mission to educate. “This is such an exciting time for the Museum and our community. With LEED silver certification, the building itself becomes a learning opportunity and an example of good stewardship of the environment.” said KiDiMu’s board president Diane Crowder.

While discovering KiDiMu, families can explore various aspects of the building that make it earth-friendly. They can even take a self-guided “Green LEED Tour” of KiDiMu. In addition, many of the museum programs and camps feature the subject of environmental education. “It is a delight to see families climb up the pathways to check how the rooftop garden is doing, or get visiting children excited about planting seeds or composting. In our new home, the lessons learned have a better chance to sink in,” Crowder added.

By using less energy and water, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

“The new building is a “smart” solution for KiDiMu, Bainbridge Island and the planet,” said Crowder. “The certification is a great honor and a “seal of approval” for a job well done. We feel fortunate to have had the community support and expertise of the Island Gateway team to help us succeed.”

The KiDiMu building’s location, within a walking distance from the ferry and the center of town, its water and energy saving design, and recycled and non-toxic building materials all play a role in reaching LEED certification, which holds the highest national standard for building design that implements strategies for better environmental and health performance.

“We’re very excited about the LEED Silver rating for the KiDiMu. This will make it one of the first buildings in Kitsap county to receive both the interior and exterior LEED rating. There couldn’t be a better space for a kids museum!” said Asani project manager Craden Henderson.

As the Island Gateway moves forward in gaining LEED certification for all its buildings, including the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, KiDiMu’s LEED Silver award provides real satisfaction and encouragement for the Island Gateway team, and sets a standard for sustainable building design and development throughout the Bainbridge Island community.

New art museum changes its name

2011-07-26T19:18:00.000-07:00

Bainbridge Island Review

By CONNIE MEARS
Bainbridge Island Review Staff writer
Jul 22 2011, 11:10 AM · UPDATED

The board of directors for the new art museum, scheduled to open in 2012 at Island Gateway, voted to adopt a new name: Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, said Executive Director Greg Robinson.
The name change from Bainbridge Art Museum was prompted by a couple of reasons. Foremost was to avoid confusion with Bellevue Art Museum, which shared the BAM acronym. Secondly, board members felt that adding the word Island was a more specific identifier for the community.

The museum's focus will be on showcasing art from Kitsap, Olympic Peninsula and Puget Sound areas,
"We're right in the heart of that," Robinson said.

The change will take some time to execute, but it is in the process of filing the paperwork with the Secretary of State to formally change the nonprofit's name.

He said the museum never promoted the use of the term BAM, but the art world tends to be acronym-heavy. The museum may or may not end up using the new BIMA acronym.

The museum has held a number of focus groups seeking input from the community. When looking for an alternative name, the board revisited the focus group comments and found that the name Bainbridge Island Museum of Art was a popular choice.

Buildings CF are Complete!

2011-07-26T16:56:00.000-07:00

Photo by David Cohen

Island Gateway is helping to make busy intersection more foot friendly

2011-07-19T16:43:00.000-07:00

Bainbridge plans to make busy intersection near ferries more foot friendly

KITSAP SUN
By Tristan Baurick
Posted July 18, 2011 at 5:13 p.m.

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — The state is footing most of the bill to make the island's busiest intersection safer for pedestrians.

The Winslow Way-Highway 305 intersection will soon get new sidewalks, pedestrian crossing signal lights and timers, and a long-awaited crosswalk along the intersection's north side.

"It's a great improvement for pedestrians, not to mention it's the first intersection people encounter when coming to downtown," Councilman Barry Peters said.

The city will pay for the $120,000 project with a $50,000 contribution from the state Department of Transportation, $30,000 from a state grant awarded for the Winslow Way reconstruction project and $40,000 from a fee paid by the Island Gateway commercial development taking shape on the intersection's northwest corner...

Click here to read the rest of this article: http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/jul/18/bainbridge-plans-to-make-busy-intersection-more/#ixzz1Sb7amaLk

CHICKEN CRAZY? 3rd Annual Bainbridge Island Tour de Coop TOMORROW

2011-07-15T21:26:00.001-07:00

Some are saying that chickens are the new golden retriever and its certainly true here on Bainbridge Islander. Every spring the local Island feed store, 'Bay Hay and Feed' sell 1550 to 1800 baby chicks and at least 5000 50lb bags of chicken food. They estimate 1/3 of Island households keep chickens. WOW!

Don't miss the Third Annual Bainbridge Island Tour de Coop 2011 Tomorrow: A Self-Guided Tour of Chicken Coops, Saturday, July 16 from 11-4. This year there will be 9 chicken coops on the tour. Tickets are available at Bay Hay and Feed, and Classic Cycle on Bainbridge Island. Check out this great article in the local newspaper to learn more:

Tour de Coop this weekend

By ERIN JENNINGS
North Kitsap Herald Kitsap Week

Chicken coops are hatching all over Bainbridge Island.

Some are lavish and include artwork and electricity.

Others are quaint and provide comfortable living quarters.

At this weekend’s third annual Tour de Coop, visitors will get the chance to check out nine coops on a self-guided tour around the island.

It’s the chicken version of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” minus the gilded furniture and luxurious yachts. Instead, you’ll see ventilated egg boxes and high perches for sleeping. Eating quarters consist of water troughs and food dispensers. Chicken bathtubs are made up of a mixture of dirt and sand — perfect for dust bathing. And one coop even has classical music piped in — the owners read that classical music helps keep the chickens calm...

click here to read the rest of the article

2011-07-04T08:46:00.001-07:00

Avalara Moves In! Welcome!

2011-06-29T15:10:00.000-07:00

Wham BAM! The Bainbridge Art Museum Takes Shape

2011-06-06T09:03:00.000-07:00

Inside Bainbridge
by Sarah Lane on June 5, 2011.
http://www.insidebainbridge.com/2011/06/05/wham-bam-the-bainbridge-art-museum-takes-shape

At the corner of 305 and Winslow Way, right next to KiDiMu, there is a large, brand new building and a large recently flattened area of dirt, subject of much Island speculation. Part of the building now houses Pretty Stick, the flagship store of a new nontoxic makeup company, and Avalara, a provider of web-hosted sales tax and use tax management services. Violet Restaurant (formerly Real Foods) will be opening in the facility soon. Another part of the building houses the start of the Bainbridge Art Museum, or BAM (as I have decided to call it). In the area of flattened dirt in front of it will soon rise the rest of the 20,000-square-foot museum.

Completed portion of the BAM facility

Although BAM is quite a ways from being completed–the earliest anticipated opening is late 2012–it already paints an impressive picture, and the description of what it is to become is quite ambitious. The brainchild of Cynthia Sears, who has been contemplating such a creation for a decade or more, BAM aims to house a permanent collection of works by contemporary regional artists, feature a gallery for changing exhibits (up to 16 per year), work with local schools and the Bainbridge Island Park District to display art by young people, and partner with local organizations, including KiDiMu, to support their efforts by offering space resources such as classrooms and an auditorium.

Greg Robinson, the museum’s Executive Director, says that since achieving nonprofit status for BAM in 2009, the founders have been asking themselves, “What does it mean to be right here, on Bainbridge Island, where the environment is so important?” Members of the board hope to reflect that reality through many of the exhibits they offer. And they intend for the museum’s physical incarnation to reflect the Northwest environmental sensibility as well. To that end the building has been designed to meet the standards of LEED Silver, the U.S. Green Building Council’s third-highest level of recognition, which Robinson says is always an accomplishment for a museum. Museums have particular lighting needs and temperature and humidity concerns that make it particularly challenging to attain LEED energy-use standards.

Solar panels on the roof, a mechanized louver system to maintain a constant temperature inside, the use of sustainable building materials including denim insulation (provided through a grant from Levi Strauss) and FSC-certified woods, recycled-fiber carpeting, a bamboo ceiling, waterless urinals, a green roof, living walls, a permeable surface surrounding the building, and, most impressively, the incorporation of geothermal energy tapped via pipes embedded on site are all part of the building’s innovative design.

Bainbridge Art Museum Classroom

The finished facility will include a reception area and main lobby space; four galleries; a special collections display; glass display cases for smaller, more delicate items such as books and jewelry; a café; a museum store; art archives; and a rooftop garden named in honor of Island garden artists George Little and David Lewis. For now at this early stage, BAM consists of offices, classrooms, and a 95-seat auditorium. As part of its education-focused mission, BAM is inviting groups to use its existing spaces for lectures, classes, small concerts, and video screenings. Bill Baran-Mickle, one of BAM’s board members, is especially excited about the auditorium, as it will enable the museum to digitally document and present artists’ processes.

The Island Gateway campus

The Island Gateway campus is set up as a condo association, with residents sharing responsibility for common areas. The BAM project’s architectural firm is Coates Design, project management is being handled by Asani, and the construction company is PHC. BAM will own the finished building. An additional retail/commercial building will be constructed in the southwest corner of the campus.

Architectural renderings courtesy of Island Gateway. Photos by Sarah Lane, 2011.

KiDiMu's Birthday Bash and Pretty Sitck - Now Open

2011-06-04T19:27:00.000-07:00

It was a sunny and lively day at Island Gateway today. The Kids Discovery Museum celebrated their first birthday with games, face painting, music, Mora ice cream, a bouncy house and much more. Our first retail tenant, Pretty Stick also opened their doors today!

Welcome Pretty Stick

2011-05-12T10:25:00.000-07:00

Island Gateway would like to welcome Pretty Stick to our community.

check out their website at: www.prettystickbeauty.com

Don't miss KiDiMu’s First Annual BIRTHDAY BASH

2011-05-12T10:17:00.000-07:00

KiDiMu’s First Annual BIRTHDAY BASH

Start: June 4, 2011 10am-4pm

Venue: Kids Discovery Museum at Island Gateway
Phone: 206-855-4650
Address:
301 Ravine Lane N.E., Bainbridge Island, WA, United States, 98110

click here for more details

BigBelly Solar compactor trash cans at Island Gateway

2011-05-10T09:03:00.000-07:00

More BigBelly Solar compactors bound for Bainbridge Island

By DENNIS ANSTINE
Bainbridge Island Review Editor
May 06 2011, 4:50 PM

Sustainable Bainbridge has finally found a way to rid Winslow Way of its overflowing garbage cans, at least it will once the reconstruction project on the street is finished.

A BigBelly Solar unit is a regular in the Kitsap Transit parking area at the Bainbridge ferry terminal

Dennis Anstine/Staff Photo

The eventual purchase of seven BigBelly Solar waste compactors/recyling bins will also help reduce the amount of fossil fuel used on the island’s main street by cutting down on the trip frequency of one of the biggest diesel gas hogs on the road – disposal trucks.

Els Heyne, a Sustainable Bainbridge board member, has been the lead person for WOW (Wiping Out Waste) Bainbridge in rallying the community to buy seven of the solar compactors from a company located in Newton, Mass.

Heyne believes the units have a bright future because the recycling and compacting units sit side by side and makes it easy for pick up.

The contraptions have two compartments: one collects glass, plastic and paper recycling; the other is a solar-powered unit that is highly energy efficient through a series of patent-protected processes that allow the waste compactor to operate 365 days a year.

The machines are a natural for Bainbridge Island, said Jim Poss, BigBelly Solar's founder and current CPO who is an island resident. Poss and his family moved here from the Boston area four years ago, but he is still involved with BigBelly.

"These days because of the economy, community activists rather than governments are often the people who initiate the purchase of our product," Poss said. "It's a natural for Bainbridge since communities that are environmentally advanced have embraced the product. We've had machines at the ferry terminal and behind City Hall at the Farmers' Market for a while, so Sustainable Bainbridge has known about them and came to us."

While each machine costs more than $6,000, they are cost-effective in the long run because they rarely break down and don't require daily pick up by disposal companies, Heyne said.

“What’s great about them is that they will cut down on Bainbridge Disposal’s daily trips for picking up the garbage, which is really bad during the summer with all the tourists,” said Heyne. “With the compactor, they’ll come down for pick up only about once a week.”

Heyne said Bainbridge Disposal is enthusiastic about the new devices because it will cut its trip costs, though it hasn't been charging for downtown garbage pickup since it has an exclusive commercial and residential contract with the city.

“We service the cans with concrete bases downtown every day,” said Dave Stanley, Bainbridge Disposal’s general manager. The business bought the cans years ago and then donated them to the city.
“There will be some savings,” he said, “because we won’t have to go there more than a once or twice a week. From what I understand, they have an electronic way of letting us know when they are full.”
Now, beginning at 6 a.m. daily, disposal trucks pick up trash on Winslow Way, the library and high school.

“But in the summer when the tourists are in town the cans can be overflowing by 10 in the morning,” he said. “It looks bad down there when the cans get full and spill out. We like to leave the street better than we found it.”

Heyne said WOW Bainbridge has received pledges for $30,000 of the $44,000 needed to buy seven of the solar contraptions. She said $6,000 each has come from a Rotary Club grant, a city grant, Island Gateway, Town & Country and Sustainable Bainbridge. Island Gateway will get one unit, and three will be placed on each side of Winslow way between Ericksen and North Madison avenues.
Poss said the use of a BigBelly unit will eliminate about $1,500 to $2,000 in collection costs annually.
"Our system is vastly cheaper and a better way to go environmentally than the old trash can," said Poss. "It decreases the amount of fossil fuel used in collection and amount of garbage disposed of. And our maintenance, when compared to the cost of maintaining a truck, is way ahead."

He said the machines have a long life cycle and are easy to maintain. The only moving parts are an electric motor and two motorcycle drive chains, all of which rarely need to be replaced and are under warranty when they do. They also have a small battery, which needs to be charged every five years or so."

"There's not much to go wrong," Poss said. "other than vandalism, a broken door lock or one of them getting run over by bus."

He said environmental activists in Portland, Ore., have launched a successful "Adopt A Belly" program with about 50 of them now on the ground, though the city itself has not been involved directly.
Poss said the units, 10,000 of which have been sold worldwide in less than a decade, can be purchased through a distributor and usually delivered in a couple of days.

For more information or to contribute, call 842-4439 or email: info@sustainablebainbridge.org.

Bainbridge Island Review Editor Dennis Anstine can be reached at editor@bainbridgereview.com or (206) 842-6613.

Buildings CF are Almost Complete!

2011-04-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

Please contact our Leasing team TODAY if you are interested in office or retail space here. There are still some spaces available and we look forward to having you as part of this unique community.

please call
206.780.7450 or email
kelly@theislandgateway.com

Happy Earth Day!

2011-04-22T18:47:00.001-07:00

Island Gateway will give booming Bainbridge tech company room to grow - KITSAP SUN

2011-04-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

By Tristan Baurick - KITSAP SUN
Posted April 1, 2011 at 5:53 p.m.

Read it here: http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/apr/01/island-gateway-will-give-booming-bainbridge-tech/#ixzz1IKZbcSqC

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — The Island Gateway development has snagged a fast-growing software company as its main commercial tenant.

Avalara, a Bainbridge-based tax-management software company, will take over 17,000 square feet of Island Gateway's recently-completed 30,000-square-foot commercial building, which sits between the Kids Discovery Museum and the planned Bainbridge Art Museum on Winslow Way.

"This space will allow us to stay on the island," Avalara CEO Scott McFarlane said.

He plans to hire 15 to 20 more people once Avalara moves in by the end of May.

The seven-year-old company has already outgrown two office spaces on Bainbridge while opening satellite offices in Seattle, California, Virginia and India. It employs 85 people at its Bainbridge headquarters, 12 people in Seattle and about 150 in its other locations.

Avalara spent the better part of a year looking for a Winslow building substantially larger than its current 8,000-square-foot Ericksen Avenue headquarters.

"We would have had to build a new space, so we started looking at moving to downtown Seattle," McFarlane said.

Island Gateway managing partner Andrew Lonseth has worked with Avalara on a lease agreement for about seven months.

"We're delighted to have these high-powered jobs staying on Bainbridge," he said.
Island Gateway, which occupies six acres of prime Winslow real estate, also recently signed leases for a restaurant and a natural cosmetics store. A women's clothing store is in the works for one of the last two remaining retail spaces on the ground floor of the three story building.

The restaurant, tentatively called "Radish," will be run by the former owners of Real Foods, a natural foods market and cafe that occupied a space about a block away. It will focus on natural, locally-grown cuisine and will have a full-service breakfast, lunch and dinner seating area, as well as a walk-up espresso counter.

Other amenities include a canopy-covered outdoor seating and a wood-fired oven for pizzas. The menu will have kid-friendly lunches for the KiDiMu crowd, and more high-end options for the art museum's evening patrons. Radish is expected to open during the summer.

The building also boasts a 100 seat auditorium for the art museum's use. The museum has claimed space for two classrooms and offices in the new building. Its board will move in soon as it ratchets up work on building the museum, which will take the place of an existing building at the northwest corner of the Winslow Way-Highway 305 intersection.

Lonseth said a second commercial building fronting Winslow Way should break ground this spring. The two-story, 10,000-square-foot building will take over the area formerly occupied by the Eagle Harbor Market building, which was torn down in November.

Avalara, Island Gateway make a perfect match - Bainbridge Island Review

2011-03-31T18:58:00.000-07:00

By DENNIS ANSTINE
Bainbridge Island Review Editor
Today, 4:39 PM

It has taken a considerable amount of time and dialogue, but the Island Gateway development finally has its ideal anchor tenant under contract.

Nearly all of the commercial space available in the large building sandwiched between the existing Kids Discovery Museum and the anticipated Bainbridge Art Museum has been leased to Avalara.
The dynamic, island-based company has grown rapidly to become an industry leader in providing web-based sales/use tax compliance solutions for small and mid-sized businesses.

Avalara CEO Scott McFarlane (left) and founder Rory Rawlings hope that their third move during the last six years to accommodate their burgeoning firm will be a charm.

Dennis Anstine/Staff Photo

The 17,500-square-foot office space will soon be home to 85 employees who work in the tech firm’s Bainbridge headquarter. An additional 17 are expected to be hired by the time Avalara moves from its current two-buildings home on Ericksen Avenue to Gateway in late May or early June.

The new digs will be quite a step up from the company’s humble beginnings, which began when island resident and founder Rory Rawlings created the software on a computer in his daughter’s bedroom six years ago.

From there, the company, which now has 200 employees working in offices located in several states and India, moved its headquarters to the San Juan Building on Ferncliff Avenue and then to Ericksen Avenue.

Founder/CEO Scott McFarlane said the company has needed to move for more than year and has been looking on the island without success. The space has become so cramped that employees have been sharing desks and sitting on countertops.

“We have 80 percent of our Bainbridge workforce living either on the island or elsewhere in the county,” he said, “so we’ve wanted to find something here – preferably close to the ferry because we also have employees living in Seattle. But nothing fit until this came up.”

McFarlane said the new building is large enough for “our creative, hard-working employees to have a little fun and be able to relax at work. We basically try to keep a family atmosphere at work, and this will help us retain that goal.”

Avalara’s employees will even have access to their own exercise room in the building.
“It’s just a dynamic event for us... moving to a great work space and still being able to work close to home,” he said. “It’s the best of both worlds for us.”

It’s also a good deal for Bill Carruthers and the other principles of the project’s developer, Asani LLC.
“Scott always wanted to have Avalara on Bainbridge so we looked at designing a special space for them,” Carruthers said. “It took some time for us to make the adjustments and to negotiate concessions on both sides. But I can’t tell you how pleased we are having them on the island in the first place, and now in our building.”

McFarlane said having a secure lease was important for both parties.

“We know now that we can stay here as long as we want to, which is a good thing for us and the island,” he said. “Besides us continuing to work downtown, we also bring hundreds of people to the island each year for training. So it’s great for the island’s economy, too.”

Carruthers said the building’s retail space has all been claimed, too. The restaurant “Radish” and a natural cosmetics store called “Pretty Stick” have signed leases. He said a women’s clothing store has signed on but has asked to remain anonymous for now.

“We’ve had to work at it,” Carruthers said, “but we’ve been surprised at the level of interest we’ve had during such tough economic times.”

The next building project for Asani, Carruthers said, is the two-story building that will front Winslow Way just west of the art museum, which is on its own time-frame.

There was very little interest in the building at first, he said, but it has picked up since the beginning of this year. Construction will begin next month.

“We have people interested in the building on Winslow Way, but they want to see the space before starting to negotiate seriously for an agreement,” he said.

He said the plan is to have a restaurant on the second floor overlooking Winslow Way and retail at street level. He said there have been conversations with owners of three potential shops.

Bainbridge Island Review Editor Dennis Anstine can be reached at editor@bainbridgereview.com or (206) 842-6613.

Radish - Coming Soon to Island Gateway

2011-03-25T07:49:00.000-07:00

Island Gateway welcomes Radish, a high-end restaurant run by the former owners of Real Foods Store and Cafe.

Bainbridge Island Review: Island Gateway set to sign up anchor tenant

2011-03-11T07:42:00.001-08:00

By DENNIS ANSTINE
Bainbridge Island Review Editor
Mar 10 2011, 4:35 PM

The Island Gateway development expects to solidify its future this week or next by signing a lease contract with an all-important anchor tenant.

Contract issues were still being vetted by the principals, delaying an official announcement by the large Bainbridge firm that plans to move to the development.

“It’s going to happen, but they wanted to make the announcement when everything is taken care of legally,” said Andrew Lonseth of Asani LLC, the island firm developing Island Gateway.

After spending some time at KiDiMu, a mother and her children stop to watch Josh Pippinger of JP Landworks move some rocks around for a courtyard wall being built at the Island Gateway project.
Dennis Anstine/Staff Photo

Two other businesses and several retail stores are also in negotiations with Asani, which hopes to have tenants signed up soon for its four commercial buildings.

“We are in good shape now,” he said. “We have a strong combination of almost signed leases and strong interest. We should be fully booked on opening day or shortly thereafter. That will be late May or, it’s safe to say, early June.

The tentative opening of the four retail/office buildings is scheduled in conjunction with the Kids Discovery Museum’s first-anniversary celebration of moving into its new building in the north part of the development June 4.

The exact configuration of the four buildings, which is actually one building broken up into four separate, three-story spaces, depends somewhat on the tenants.

The first two floors of the “building” adjacent to the future Bainbridge Island Art Museum are owned by the museum, which will have a 95-seat auditorium on the first floor and offices and classrooms on the second floor.

Lonseth expects five retail businesses on the first floor of the other three “buildings,” including a restaurant operated by the owners of the former Real Foods grocery store. The top two floors will have six office units, Lonseth said, with the possibility of two of the six being subdivided.

The museum offices, which currently are in the space where the old Chamber of Commerce was, will move into the second-floor offices above the auditorium when it is finished – likely in late May or early June.

The remaining building on the site where the museum will be built is expected to be razed sometime this summer – though it’s possible that one part of it will be saved.

Lonseth said the second floor of the front part of the structure, which contains two apartments, is salvageable for the price of moving it.

“We’ve been trying to find someone to move it and haven’t been successful,” he said.
If it isn’t moved, the entire structure will be torn down, with some of the reusable parts put to use elsewhere or recycled.

Craig Robinson, executive director of the Art Museum, said that other than moving out of the current building in May or June a timeline hasn’t been established for the new museum’s groundbreaking or completion.

Lonseth said it will probably take between 12 to 14 months to complete construction of the museum.
Robinson said he and the museum board “are in the quiet phase of our capital campaign and in an organizational readiness stage. We are also making plans about how our involvement with the community and how the community can use our space. We’re not just going to be about art. It’s also about education and partnering with the community.”

Robinson said the designs of the museum’s exterior and interior components are now completed.

Bainbridge Island Review Editor Dennis Anstine can be reached at editor@bainbridgereview.com or (206) 842-6613.

Students Tour Gateway

2011-03-03T15:01:00.000-08:00

Local Bainbridge Island high school architectural students toured the Island Gateway job site today.

Anticipated Opening - Late March!

2011-02-24T09:04:00.000-08:00

Well, it won't be long now until the Gateway's first tenants are moving in. We anticipate a soft opening in late March. Stay tuned for details on our Grand Opening Event in June.

There is still some retail space available so please contact our Leasing team TODAY if you are interested.

please call
206.780.7450 or email
kelly@theislandgateway.com

Status on the Site - not long now!

2011-01-10T13:06:00.000-08:00

Contact our Leasing team TODAY if you are interested in office or retail space here. There are still some spaces available.

please call
206.780.7450 or email
kelly@theislandgateway.com

NEW Renderings of Island Gateway Site

2010-12-30T13:18:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays from Island Gateway!

2010-12-21T11:00:00.000-08:00

The Island Gateway would like to extend a warm Thank You to everyone who worked on our project this year. Due to amazing efforts on the part of our teams at Asani, Coates Design, PHC Construction, and their subcontractors, we have met all of our construction goals for 2010 – on time and within budget!! This year the Kids Discovery Museum (KiDiMu) was completed and opened in June. Far exceeding its previous number of visitors, the KiDiMu is already a favorite destination for families.

The excitement won’t stop in 2011 – next year will bring the completion and opening of our main commercial complex in March, where you’ll be able to stroll through the verdant native gardens, enjoy the shops, and linger in the café. More than just another commercial center, the Island Gateway is fast becoming a community space that will be a favorite gathering place for years to come.

The Island Gateway team is wishing you all a Happy Holiday and a very Happy New Year!

Be a Part of it all TODAY!

2010-12-13T08:43:00.000-08:00

Limited RETAIL Space

AVAILABLE NOW

With two new museums, pedestrian walkways and extensive landscaping, this site is more than just another commercial center - it will be a favorite Island gathering place for years to come.

Offering more than 40,000 square feet of Class A retail and office space, ground level retail tenants will be sited either directly on Winslow Way, or along our landscaped multi-tiered outdoor courtyard and gathering area.

Experience the benefits of working in an anticipated LEED Gold environment, with unprecedented access to Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Kitsap County and beyond.

This is one of the most powerful locations in the Puget Sound. The Seattle ferry, Washington state's busiest route, ends at the gateway to historic downtown Bainbridge Island.

For more information, or for a private tour,
please call
206.780.7450 or email
kelly@theislandgateway.com

Visit our website for leasing information, to view floor plans and availability:

www.theislandgateway.com

Bainbridge Art Museum will start in April

2010-11-02T11:11:00.000-07:00

By LYNN PORTER
Journal Staff Reporter

Construction will start next April on the 15,000-square-foot Bainbridge Art Museum, part of the Island Gateway commercial complex next to the ferry dock at the corner of Winslow Way East and state Route 305.

The two-story museum will display contemporary fine art and crafts, and have traveling exhibits. There also will be a museum store and cafe on the first floor, and about 3,000 square feet of art storage in the basement.

The museum will also own and operate about 4,000 square feet in a connected commercial building in Island Gateway. That space will house a 100-seat auditorium and space for art classes and community events.

That space is slated to open March 1, 2011. The main museum will open in the spring of 2012.

About $12 million has been raised to build the main building and the museum's space in the commercial complex, said museum Executive Director Greg Robinson.

This is Bainbridge Art Museum's first building. It now operates out of temporary offices.

Robinson said Island Gateway — which has shops, office space, restaurants and the Kids Discovery Museum — will draw people to the art museum.

“It's a great location,” he said. “It really is the portal to Bainbridge Island. We really feel like we're helping to anchor the arts here on Bainbridge Island.”

The two-story, 5,200-square-foot Kids Discovery Museum opened June 5. Attendance in the first three months was 8,400 — double what it has been in leased space previously occupied by the museum, said Executive Director Susan Sivitz.

The new building is closer to the ferry and more accesible from other parts of Kitsap County, she said.

Museum officials are happy to own high quality space near the future Bainbridge Art Museum, she said. “We could not be happier.”

Island Gateway is deing developed by Asani, headed by Bill Carruthers and Andrew Lonseth, and developer Kelly Samson, who is affiliated with Samson Family Land Co., according to Asani project manager Marja Preston.

The steel and concrete buildings were designed to meet LEED standards by architect Coates Design. PHC Construction is the contractor and Outdoor Studio is the landscape architect.

The rest of the complex is made up of five buildings with a total of 17,700 square feet of office space and 14,400 of retail, including an upstairs restaurant and roof deck. Four of the buildings will open March 1, and the other on June 1, according to Kelly Muldrow, a Windermere Commercial broker who is the leasing agent for Island Gateway.

The developers had considered selling some of the non-museum commercial space, but kept it to better control the tenant mix, Muldrow said. They want tenants that appeal to the community, do well year-round and complement other businesses nearby, he said.

There's lots of interest — including from entrepreneurs — and some negotiations are under way, Muldrow said.

In 2009, the developers bought the 5.28-acre site, which was used for parking and a towing business, Preston said.

She said they are building the museums at cost.

“Our development group only does projects that contribute to the community, and the arts and education are very important to us,” she said. “That's why we're here.”

Carruthers and Lonseth also headed up the development team for Vineyard Lane condos on the island. That project has 45 clustered units, and won the 2008 Livable Communities Award from AARP and the National Association of Home Builders.

Samson is a longtime island developer, Preston said.

.............................

Copyright ©2010 Seattle Daily Journal and djc.com.

The Old Nakata Building Finds a New Home

2010-10-27T16:38:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed the old Nakata building on Winslow Way, at the Island Gateway site, is being disassembled. The main structure of this historic building will be finding a new home on the Nakata family farm, here on Bainbridge Island.

The Nakata family first used this building to run a hand laundry and bath house for the shipyard workers just after the turn of the century. Later, the Nakata family joined forces with the Loverich family, consolidating the first grocery stores of the island to start the Town & Country Market here.

The Nakata building, like its family namesake, is a rich part of Bainbridge Islands heritage and we are proud to be part of the preservation of this piece of our history.

Bainbridge Island’s newest development to exceed energy efficiency standards

2010-10-09T00:13:00.000-07:00

October 6, 2010 @ 10:41am | The KPBJ

The Island Gateway development, at the corner of Winslow Way and Highway 305 on Bainbridge Island, will meet the goals of both national and international energy challenges. Designed and built through the partnership of Asani, Coates Design, and PHC Construction, the new commercial buildings will exceed energy efficiency standards set out by the Department of Energy’s Energy Star program and the ‘Architecture 2030’ challenge.

The development, designed architect Matthew Coates, will host office space, retail space, and two museums in five buildings. Preliminary analysis shows that the commercial buildings currently under construction score in the top ten percent of all buildings in the Energy Star program, which, through the Department of Energy, encourages commercial and residential buildings to reduce their energy consumption and establish lower occupancy costs.

The buildings also meet the Architecture 2030 challenge goals. Architecture 2030, a non-profit organization, recognizes that buildings are a significant source of demand for energy and materials that cause greenhouse gasses and aims to encourage all buildings to be carbon neutral by 2030.

Energy savings in the buildings are realized through careful design and construction, as well as choice of materials and equipment that maximize efficiency. The recent revisions to the building design that achieve the energy savings were all made within the original budget for the buildings, demonstrating that thoughtful design and planning can achieve energy efficiencies without additional capital investment.

Tenants of the buildings will be the direct benefactors of these energy efficiency measures, experiencing more comfortable work spaces and reduced utility costs.

“The Island Gateway team has done a fantastic job of paying attention to what matters most to this community and what will matter most to the building’s eventual users — without adding significant costs to the project,” says Kelly Muldrow, broker at Windermere Commercial.

http://kpbj.com/headlines/environment/2010-10-06/bainbridge_island_s_newest_development_to_exceed_energy_efficiency_

Zero Waste at Island Gateway

2010-09-20T09:16:00.000-07:00

The Island Gateway would like to thank our tenants and visitors in advance for helping us to create a community committed to the goal of Zero Waste. There is no question that such a goal is challenging. We as a community have to rethink and redevelop the way we do everyday business and continue to find new ways to reduce our waste. Starting with the goals we’ve written about on this blog, and moving forward as a community we are certain we can continue to succeed at our goal of creating a Zero Waste community at Island Gateway!

Thank you!

Zero Waste: Building Materials for a Safe, Healthy Environment

2010-09-16T09:15:00.000-07:00

Island Gateway has been developed to some of the highest standards of sustainable and environmentally sound construction anywhere in the nation. From reclaimed and recycled building materials to a 99% job-site recycling program, Island Gateway is leading the way in sustainable construction practices.

We have asked our tenants to join us in keeping that standard true by choosing environmentally friendly, non-toxic, sustainable materials for their tenant improvements. By choosing non-toxic materials, from the drywall and carpets, to the paint and adhesives, we are creating office and retail spaces that are safe, healthy and comfortable for everyone who takes part in the Island Gateway community.

Beyond non-toxic materials we are also asking our tenants to increase efficiency of water and power through the use of efficient lighting with sensors and low-flow water fixtures. This will decrease water and power usage while increasing savings on both resources. Everyone wins!

As the construction process is conventionally wasteful, the Island Gateway development team has made itself available to assist tenants through the process and provide a list of sustainable materials for build-outs, helping to steer our community towards its goal of Zero Waste.

.......................

Every couple of days, over the next few weeks, we will post about a selected element of our Zero Waste program so that you can learn more specifically about how the Island Gateway community is aspiring to become a Zero Waste community.

.......................

Click here to learn more about our Zero Waste goals and mission and download the PDF.

Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

2010-09-14T07:54:00.000-07:00

Please join the Island Gateway team TOMORROW to hear all about the project at the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce Luncheon.

When: September 15th: 11:30 a.m. Sept. 15
Where: Wing Point Golf & Country Club, 811 Cherry Ave. NE on Bainbridge Island.
Cost: $15.
RSVP: Call (206) 842-3700 or visit www.bainbridgechamber.com

Zero Waste: Composting and Biodegradable Containers

2010-09-13T09:15:00.000-07:00

Composting is, unarguably, the best way to eliminate food, paper and bio-plastic wastes. There is currently no requirement through the State of Washington, or the city of Bainbridge for businesses to compost materials.

The Island Gateway is asking all of our tenants to separate out all compostable materials so that we, as a community, can greatly reduce the amount of waste going into landfills, while creating a useful, renewable resource: compost!

Further, we’ll ask all our retail and food-service tenants to use biodegradable bags and containers so that we can help to eliminate the massive amount of waste created by these items in our communities.

By setting a high communal standard for commitment to composting, Island Gateway is leading the way towards the goal of Zero Waste!

.......................

Click here to learn more about our Zero Waste goals and mission and download the PDF.

Island Gateway: A National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat

2010-09-10T09:35:00.000-07:00

We are proud to announce that the Island Gateway has been recognized by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) as a Certified Wildlife Habitat. The NWF works to protect wildlife habitat nation wide and part of their program includes certifying “mini-refuges” in private gardens and campuses. Being a NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat, for the Island Gateway, is about having a functional, thriving community, while still providing natural areas for wildlife. Thanks to “conscientious planning, landscaping and sustainable gardening, wildlife may find quality habitat – food, water, cover and places to raise their young.”

Read more about the National Wildlife Federation and how to make your garden into a Wildlife Habitat here: http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife.aspx

Zero Waste: Environmentally Conscious Custodial Services

2010-09-09T11:33:00.000-07:00

Island Gateway will ask all tenants to hire cleaning teams that are committed to using eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning supplies for their retail and office spaces. It is important that the community upholds the high standard of public and environmental health set by the development, architecture and construction at Island Gateway.

Through the use of safe, non-toxic cleaning materials, the community will directly increase the environmental health and comfort of those who spend time in our buildings. We will also reduce the negative impact of such waste entering our waterways.

.......................

.......................

Click here to learn more about our Zero Waste goals and mission and download the PDF.

Zero Waste: Enhanced Recycling Program

2010-09-07T12:17:00.000-07:00

Recycling is an integral part of any zero waste program, and while recycling programs continue to improve many are quite limited as to the scope of materials they are able to process.

Island Gateway is setting a goal to increase the amount and types of materials recycled, going beyond what is currently accepted and processed by Bainbridge Island Disposal.

Many plastics and other materials that enter recycle bins never see the light of the processing plant. They are simply sorted out and sent to the landfill. By increasing the materials that can be recycled from our community we are moving closer to our goal of Zero Waste!

If you are interested in learning more about what and where you can recycle certain items go to Sustainable Bainbridge’s wonderful website and take a look at their Road Map to Zero Waste. http://www.sustainablebainbridge.net/Zero%20Waste.html

.......................

Click here to learn more about our Zero Waste goals and mission and download the PDF.

Zero Waste: Solar Power Recycle, Compost and Waste Bins

2010-09-03T16:51:00.000-07:00

One of the challenges of Zero Waste is sorting and organizing the recyclables and compostables from the absolutely unavoidable waste. It is important to have visible, accessible sorting bins so that all of this organizing is an ongoing, communal effort. We will provide sorting bins in a covered location in the parking garage to encourage use of this option. Further, it’s important to reduce the pick-up schedule for sorted bins so as to reduce the use of fuel. Island Gateway will work with Bainbridge Disposal to set up an appropriate pick up schedule to minimizing fuel consumption.

One of the best-known sources of Zero-Waste power is solar. Solar power has been around for years now, and is gaining success through improved design and implementation. One of the newer ways that solar is being used is to power waste compactors. Solar powered compactor bins will be located in the outer courtyard at the Island Gateway. The exterior, solar powered bins, designed by a fellow Bainbridge Islander, will reduce the need for frequent pick-up by the disposal company..

These outdoor bins and those incorporated in to the retail and office spaces, will help to maintain waste product organization and uphold to the standard LEED requirements for interior commercial build-outs as stated by the USGBC.

Zero Waste: The Green Action Committee

2010-09-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

The first step towards our goal of Zero Waste at Island Gateway will be to set up a Green Action Committee, which will consist of tenant volunteers who are willing and interested in spearheading the implementation of the Zero Waste processes. This action committee will also continue to explore new ways to better approach the goal of Zero Waste.

It is important that the Green Action Committee consist of tenant volunteers as it will take the efforts and commitments of the entire community if we are to achieve success in this goal.

There is no doubt that Zero Waste is a challenging and daunting goal, but it is achievable through innovation and commitment. The Green Action Committee will help to keep the community on the track toward the Goal of Zero Waste.

.......................

Every couple of days, over the next few weeks, we will post about a selected element of our Zero Waste program so that you can learn more specifically about how The Island Gateway community is aspiring to become a Zero Waste community.

.......................

Click here to learn more about our Zero Waste goals and mission and download the PDF.

A New Community Aspiring for Zero Waste

2010-08-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

Zero Waste at The Island Gateway

“Zero Waste is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary, to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use.

Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources, and not burn or bury them.

Implementing Zero Waste will eliminate all discharges to land, water or air that are a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health.”

-Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA)

Why is waste reduction important to the community of Bainbridge Island?

It has everything to do with impact – our impact on the health of our natural and human environments.

Kitsap County is producing over 215,000 tons of garbage per year. Beginning at our homes and businesses, that garbage now goes through seven steps of pickups and transfers before eventually reaching the landfill. Due to overcapacity and closure of local landfills, our garbage now makes a 300-mile train trip to the Columbia Ridge Landfill in Arlington, Oregon.

All this movement of our garbage uses an incredible amount of fuel. Further, we’re shipping our waste into another state and relying on a final destination for our garbage that already covers 687 acres of land (20 times larger than Kitsap Mall).

Every piece of waste created on Bainbridge Island has a long chain of reaction. This is why the Island Gateway has joined the Sustainable Bainbridge movement in their goal of Zero Waste.

The Island Gateway community has committed to the goal of Zero Waste as set out by ZWIA, and we are finding innovative ways to make this new addition to the greater Bainbridge community a healthy, sustainable place for everyone.

.......................

.......................

Click here to learn more about our Zero Waste goals and mission and download the PDF.

The Kids Discovery Museum

2010-08-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

Photo taken by Pete Saloutos - www.petesaloutos.com

Topped Off!

2010-08-26T11:10:00.000-07:00

Progress on the Construction Site!

2010-08-12T15:31:00.000-07:00

800 Tons of Steel!

2010-08-10T08:41:00.000-07:00

The Island Gateway is going Vertical! Over 800 tons of steel are being brought on to the site and erected in to place. This steel will become the bones of our C,D,E and F buildings. This is all very exciting as we move above grade. Come by the site and check it out!

Bainbridge Art Museum’s new look gets Design Review Board approval - Bainbridge Island Review

2010-07-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

By DENNIS ANSTINE
Bainbridge Island Review Editor
Jul 23 2010, 11:18 AM

After considering several months of community input, the Island Gateway developers have settled on the design of its “landmark” building.

There may be some tweaking as Bainbridge Art Museum design proposal goes through the city’s final permit process, but the city’s Design Review Board Tuesday approved the amended plans for the building’s exterior.

The city’s Planning Commission and Planning Director Kathy Cook will need to approve it before it’s finalized by the City Council.

Initially, developer Asani LLC presented an art museum in an undistinguished block building when it gained approval for the Gateway complex last year.

There was the caveat, however, that the final design of the two-story structure at the connective northwest corner of State Route 305 and Winslow Way was still a work in progress.

The museum’s board became more involved after the controversy and litigation surrounding the project ebbed following a tumultuous community meeting on the permitting process in February. And in late April, spurred by the board’s input, architect Matthew Coates’ public presentation of 10 “three-dimensional sketches” drew about 150 people to the existing building that will be replaced by the new museum sometime next year.

Coates said the original designs didn’t include enough community input, “so we threw them out and started over,” then chose elements from three of the 10 new ideas.

“It (the new design) was not designed by community members, but their efforts inspired and directed our energy in a certain direction,” Coates said. “Most of the input (from more than 200 people responding to the 10 options) favored a curved building. So we went that way. We think it will serve as a signature entryway into the island. This is the sort of building that will become an institution.”

Much of the curved, western exterior of the museum features a floor-to-ceiling, glass-and-wood wall that faces a large courtyard fronting Winslow Way, and a small connected structure that serves as the museum’s main entryway.

Perhaps the building design’s most dramatic element is a two-story, glass feature facing the State Route 305-Winslow Way corner, from which it is set back about 15 feet.

Coates believes the southeast-facing window will become “ a significant presence on the corner” and serve “as a metaphor for our community and the museum itself being open and transparent.”

Alan Grainger, a member of the Design Review Board, said he worried that reflection from the glass would be hazardous to drivers leaving the morning ferries. But Coates said the window would be tapered outward – from bottom to top – and shouldn’t be a problem.

The east side of the building will feature wood, rock and concrete elements, with several trees – mostly conifers – serving as a buffer between the building and the highway.

The board was pleased with the new design and approved it unaniomusly.

Board member John Green said the applicant had done a “tremendous amount of work” on the design changes.

“With the public forum and all the work done,” he said, “it shows the process works if given enough time. The silence from the public today shows it works.”

Bainbridge Island Review Editor Dennis Anstine can be reached at editor@bainbridgereview.com or (206) 842-6613.

The New Bainbridge Art Museum at the Island Gateway

2010-07-20T09:23:00.000-07:00

July 3rd Street Dance and BBQ

2010-07-03T16:44:00.000-07:00

The Island Gateway is proud to be a community sponsor of this year's July 3rd Street Dance and BBQ. Don't miss the festivities this evening (Saturday) from 6pm – 11pm in downtown Winslow.

Food, music,and sidewalk chalk!

This is one of the Island’s great summertime traditions!

Art museum’s legacy will be its inspiration | Letters | June 25

2010-07-01T11:54:00.000-07:00

Letter from the Bainbridge Island Review - Jun 25 2010, 11:06 AM

With the unveiling of the art museum’s final design, my two school-age daughters have started talking about what it will be like to have an art museum within arm’s reach.

When we took in the museum’s curves and skylights and really started imagining its contents, we realized that we most look forward to its potential to inspire.

Similar to the effect IslandWood has had in sparking an understanding and appreciation for our environment, the museum will help my kids soak in the treasury and tradition of creativity that surrounds us.

We still have some time to wait before it’s built, but looking forward to the museum has already become a very happy and exciting thing around my family’s table.

Christina Opalka
Bainbridge Island

The Island Gateway on BITV News

2010-06-15T16:12:00.000-07:00

The Island Gateway made two appearances on BITV News this week. Watch the festivities at the grand reopening of the Kids Discovery Museum and learn more about the new design concept/model for the Bainbridge Art Museum.

http://www.bitv.org/

http://173.10.81.29/061110.mov

Model of new Bainbridge Art Museum revealed - Bainbridge Island Review

2010-06-10T13:14:00.000-07:00

After months of planning, 10 preliminary concepts, hundreds of comments from community members and focus group participants, the Bainbridge Art Museum board of directors unveiled the final design for the new art museum at the corner of State Route 305 and Winslow Way during last Friday’s Art Walk...

– Connie Mears, Bainbridge Island Review

Bainbridge Island's New KiDiMu Getting Rave Reviews from Kids - Kitsap Sun

2010-06-10T12:51:00.000-07:00

Twin sisters Samantha and Tessa Frei roll golf balls around a metal drum while exploring the KiDiMu on Bainbridge, Tuesday. MEEGAN M. REID | KITSAP SUN

Five-year-old Sky Henderson tried them all: a musical instrument played with falling golf balls, a pirate tree house with a corkscrew slide, a pretend ferry boat, and a real-life electric car... (Tristan Baurick | For the Kitsap Sun)

Bainbridge Art Museum Board OKs Design for New Building - Kitsap Sun

2010-06-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

The final design for the Bainbridge Art Museum building was unveiled this week. The curved, modern-styled museum and its attached auditorium building will, at a combined 20,000 square feet, define the look of the prominent Winslow Way-Highway 305 intersection. Set for completion in 2012, the museum will specialize in Bainbridge Kitsap County artists. (Tristan Baurick | For the Kitsap Sun)

99%

2010-06-08T10:29:00.000-07:00

The percentage of construction waste recycled or reused! We mean business - if it can’t be recycled, it better get re-used.

Phase One Complete!

2010-06-03T07:30:00.000-07:00

We would like to officially announce the completion of the first phase of The Island Gateway project - a new community treasure, Kids Discovery Museum. A special thank you to all the local businesses who contributed to completing this project on budget and ahead of schedule. For more information about The Island Gateway or to inquire about sales and leasing opportunities email us at info@theislandgateway.com or call 206.780.7450.

Bainbridge Art Museum Unveiling!

2010-06-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

We would like to thank all who provided feedback on the original 10 design concepts for the new Bainbridge Art Museum. Come celebrate an unveiling of the design concept based on the public feedback at The Island Gateway Discovery Center (corner of Winslow Way and 305) this Friday, June 4th from 5 to 8 pm during the First Friday Art Walk.

The Kids Discovery Museum Reopening

2010-05-31T11:53:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars! The Kids Discovery Museum, the first building completed at The Island Gateway project is opening this Saturday! Come join the fun on June 5th at 10am.

Discover how cyclist Steve Rhoades will go the extra mile for the KiDiMu this Saturday on opening day!

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/kitsap/bir/lifestyle/95067154.html

2010-05-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

The number of local construction-related jobs created by the Island Gateway project. Almost all of the people who work on our construction site are locals living in the Kitsap Community. That’s a lot of local talent building our local economy.

Winslow Ravine Edge Enhancements

2010-05-24T19:51:00.000-07:00

Embarking on an effort to enhance the Winslow Ravine edge to a more natural condition, The Island Gateway has removed invasive plants and replaced them with native species. Over the years the area along the top of the ravine has been influenced by urban activities and became dominated by invasive species, such as Himalayan blackberry and Scotch Broom, compromising the habitat potential and other buffer functions.

Since the area is a steep slope leading to a stream, measures to control erosion were first installed. Topsoil was carefully placed in the disturbed area, as well as jute matting to keep the soil in place on the slope. The blackberry and Scotch broom were carefully removed, as were the quarry spalls that were used to stabilize the slope in the area of the storm water utility work this past winter. A variety of native shrubs have been planted, including ocean spray, vine maple, salal, and red elderberry. These plants were chosen for their ability to stabilize the slope, prevent storm water runoff and enrich the natural habitat.

These enhancements are just another way that the Island Gateway is choosing to improve the environmental conditions of this urban redevelopment site in hopes that our presence there will result in a net positive impact both on our community and our environment.

National Bike to Work Day!

2010-05-21T08:15:00.001-07:00

The Island Gateway Discovery Center - Available for Community Use - no cost!

2010-05-19T21:43:00.000-07:00

The Island Gateway Discovery Center is open and available to you at no cost! The Discovery Center is a community space for your use - which includes a large conference table, lounge area, digital presentation screen and more, all conveniently located at the corner of Winslow Way and 305. This space is available for your meetings and gatherings by appointment. To book the Discovery Center please contact us at info@theislandgateway.com.

48%

2010-05-17T09:06:00.001-07:00

The density of the Island Gateway project compared to the total allowed density. The property could be built to twice the current density if a mixed use project was proposed here. To minimize environmental impact and ensure the project is consistent with downtown character, we elected to build a project that appropriately fits the scale of our Winslow community.

Retail and Office Space Available

2010-05-13T13:02:00.000-07:00

Thoughtfully designed and environmentally outstanding, The Island Gateway is so much more than just another commercial center – it will be a favorite Island gathering place for years to come. For tours of the construction site or inquiries into purchasing or leasing space, contact sales@theislandgateway.com or visit our website for more information.

LAST DAY TO PAINT THE TILES - May 12th

2010-05-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

Today is your last opportunity to decorate the KiDiMu. With just a $50 donation you (artists of all sizes) can paint a tile of your original design. The tiles will be installed in the new Museum (opening JUNE 5^th ) for all to admire. Call now to schedule your session. 206.855.4650

100%

2010-05-10T11:59:00.000-07:00

The amount of stormwater runoff that undergoes filtration. The blue tanks you see on our construction site contain a sophisticated water filtration system that exceeds LEED standards. In fact, the sediment levels are comparable to that of drinking water.

After construction, a built-in system will continue to filter storm water runoff. Ever wonder how much stormwater was treated when the area was a parking lot? Zero.

Construction Progress

2010-05-05T09:25:00.000-07:00

Construction of the Island Gateway project is well underway. The Childrens Discovery Museum is complete and will be open to the public on June 5th. An underground parking garage is under construction and four LEED registered commercial buildings (office and retail) are soon to break ground. For tours of the construction site or inquiries into purchasing or leasing space, contact sales@theislandgateway.com or visit our website www.theislandgateway.com for more information.

65%.

2010-05-03T12:01:00.000-07:00

The percentage of the Island Gateway property known as the Winslow Ravine.

Of the Island Gateway’s 4.3 acres, 2.8 acres of urban forest will be preserved. We are currently working with the Bainbridge Island Land Trust and the Parks District to explore options for creation of a permanent conservation easement on the ravine property under our ownership.

IG Green Features: LEEDing the way in sustainable development

2010-04-27T13:28:00.000-07:00

The Island Gateway is LEEDing the way in green development. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a rating system developed by United States Green Building Council (USGBC) to highlight the ecologically sound design of building developments.

Why does it matter? North Americans spend over 90% of their time in buildings - much of that time is spent at work. Buildings are responsible for 80% of total electricity and over 30% of total energy used annually. Standard buildings also account for significant portions of fresh water consumption during both construction and occupancy. Material waste generated through conventional construction practices accounts for up to 53% of landfill, depending on the location. LEED certified buildings are designed to reduce both energy and water consumption. Through innovative, sustainable design the Island Gateway LEED buildings are reducing environmental impact - and actually improving the current environmental health - during construction and for the long term, through sustainably designed and environmentally responsible buildings.

There are many planning and design elements that go into reaching a high level of LEED certification that help to greatly reduce water and electricity consumption and create comfortable, sustainable environments for the people working within them, and the ecology around them.

EcoTour this Sunday, April 25th

2010-04-21T20:28:00.000-07:00

How do we keep Winslow Ravine clean? Have you ever toured a construction site where 100% of the rainwater run-off is contained and treated? Come see our much-talked-about rainwater filtration system, and more features of sustainable excellence that make The Island Gateway an eco-friendly partner in the Bainbridge Island community. Join us for the annual Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce Eco-tour this Sunday, April 25th from 11am-2pm. Click here for more details about the event.

www.bainbridgechamber.com

SAVE THE DATE!

2010-04-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

You are cordially Invited

Bainbridge Art Museum Open House

Monday, April 26 - 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Bainbridge Performing Arts - Lobby

200 Madison Avenue North

Map

The design of the new Bainbridge Art Museum is progressing, and representatives from the Museum are unveiling concept models to the public - with public comment welcome. Concept models are three-dimensional sketches of the proposed structure, created by principal design Architect Matthew Coates. The models will be on display from 5:30 - 7:30, with a brief presentation at 6:15 PM. Refreshments will be served.

IG Green Features: A Ravine Runs Through It

2010-04-19T10:05:00.000-07:00

Bainbridge Island’s Winslow Ravine is an urban amenity – a large, contiguous green space within the urban environment. The Ravine makes up 43% of the Island Gateway property. For years much of the Island Gateway site was paved and used for auto salvage, parking and a host of other commercial uses. Rainwater mixed with any substance on the pavement and ran, untreated, directly into the ravine and out into Eagle Harbor.

The Island Gateway has taken strides to reverse this polluted history, and thanks to some innovative drainage and filtration techniques, harmful run-off to the ravine has been greatly reduced - if not eliminated - even during the construction process. Water filtration on the construction site exceeds both State DOE and LEED requirements, and we can proudly say that 98% of sediment is contained on site!

All storm water run-off from the construction site is diverted to the on-site Rain For Rent water filtration system. This system funnels the water through a series of tanks with natural filtration systems made from organic marine matter. While the system does not treat for common bacteria, such as Giardia, the water that exits this system into the City’s catch basin is as clear and clean as drinking water.

The completed site will host a number of design features that will help keep the stream in the Winslow Ravine clean. Permeable surfaces will increase by 13,170 square feet (almost a third of an acre) by replacing paved areas with landscaping; the ravine edge will be enhanced with native species to naturally filter rainwater; storm water from paved areas will be treated by two permanent Storm Filter systems, which filter out soluble heavy metals, oil, grease and other urban pollutants before the runoff enters the City’s storm water system; and portions of the buildings will have living rooftops and a living wall. All of these low impact development techniques will help to slow and filter the flow of storm water run-off before it leaves the site.

Perhaps one of the most important ways The Island Gateway is protecting the Winslow Ravine is by simply leaving it alone for the Island community. The project site includes 2.2 acres of Winslow Ravine that are being left undeveloped. This protected space, combined with the strict regulation of storm water run-off from both the construction site and the completed development will help to ensure the continued thriving health of the Winslow Ravine for years to come.

To see The Island Gateway’s construction site water filtration systems in action come to the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce’s Eco-Tour of the site on Sunday, April 25^th from 11am to 4pm. Visit http://www.bainbridgechamber.com or call 206.842.3700 for more info.

Happy Earth Month!

Community Energy Forum: Positive Power Solutions for All

2010-04-13T07:55:00.000-07:00

The Island Gateway and PHC construction have the honor of sponsoring the Community Energy Forum: Positive Power Solutions for All, which will bring together solar energy experts, energy efficiency professionals, policy-makers and educators to inform the community about our energy choices. Here are the details:

Community Energy Forum: Positive Power Solutions for All

DATE: Saturday, April 17, 2010
TIME: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm PDT
WHERE: Bainbridge High School Commons, 200 Building, 9330 NE High School Road, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
AGE RANGE: all ages
COST: $5 Suggested donations

Are you curious about the new opportunities available to use renewable energy? Would you like to know what a Community Solar Garden looks like?

Are you spending a lot of money on energy for your home, and still getting too little comfort? Would you like to know where you can turn to for solutions?

To help you learn more about energy choices, join us at the Energy Forum!

Special guests include:

- Congressman Jay Inslee (invited to talk about Climate legislation in the afternoon session)

- State Senator Phil Rockefeller (in the morning session)

From noon to 1 PM, Guy Sidora will be there to work with kids, or the kid in you, to do the Energy Bounce!

For more details, please visit:
http://www.cenergysolutions.org/EnergyForum.html

IG Green Features: Recycle This!

2010-04-12T09:37:00.000-07:00

The Island Gateway is excited to tell you about our rigorous recycling program: 99% of all building site materials are being recycled! The highest rating for LEED certification credits applicable to Site Waste Management requires that 75% diversion of construction waste from landfills. We’re taking it a step further.

All of the old asphalt, 1,500 (and still counting) old tires, and all the scrap metal from the site is being removed and recycled. Even the metal building that existed on the site was reused: it was carefully disassembled and relocated to another property.

This 99% construction site recycling program not only removes potentially environmentally harmful waste from the site and it’s proximity to the Winslow Ravine, it greatly reduces the gross waste of building materials that can still be useful in a host of ways. For example, recycled tires can be cleaned and shredded for use as safe padded flooring for gyms and playgrounds. And the direct re-use of building materials reduces cost and avoids the need for new materials.

We’re taking this so seriously that we have a “pack it in, pack it out” policy for all work crews on the site. No leaving your lunch behind. Unless, of course, it can be recycled!

Recycling works!

Happy Earth Month!

IG Green Features: It’s Alive! The Island Gateway is greening up its walls and rooftops.

2010-04-05T09:11:00.000-07:00

The green roof is not a new idea. We’ve all seen those dustbowl-era photos of the shed-roofed stables with goats standing on top eating the grass from the roof of the very building that shelters them at night. Like most good ideas, they stem from a natural process most likely discovered long ago. But, the re-integration of live, growing elements into our living and working spaces is still only just beginning to take root in the mainstream development of building stuctures.

The Island Gateway is excited to play a roll in bringing these living design elements to such a prominent location on Bainbridge Island – a community that prides itself on being eco-conscious and Earth-friendly.

The basic ideas behind a green roof and a living wall are the same: integrate living, growing elements into the non-living structure. In practice this means engineering a structure to carry the load of soil mass and plants, as well as the water that will be absorbed through rainfall. Esthetically, this ties the buildings into the landscape in a very literal way.

But that’s not all! Theses living elements of the buildings actually serve very ecologically and economically important functions. By catching and absorbing rainfall – in the natural growing process – these living elements reduce the amount of site water runoff before it ever reaches the gutter. This will help to greatly reduce and control the amount of run-off that enters Winslow Ravine. And by using mostly hearty native species of plants, the need for artificial watering is reduced or eliminated.

Further, the soil, root structures, and growing mass of the plants all serve as a natural insulation making for efficient (yes, that means costs savings on heating and cooling!), comfortable environments indoors, while providing visually pleasing environments out of doors.

So, while the green roof may not be a brand new idea, it’s an important one – an idea we’re excited to be sharing and implementing at The Island Gateway!

For more info on green roofs and living walls check out G-Sky: Green Walls & Rooftops at http://www.greenrooftops.com

Also check out The Island Gateway’s landscape designer, Jack Johnson of Outdoor Studio at http://www.outdoorstudio.net

And this really cool video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63D2UkkTtBQ

Happy Earth Month!

2010-04-01T16:49:00.001-07:00

Happy April 1^st, and Happy Earth Month! In celebration of April as Earth Month, we’re dedicating weekly blog posts that highlight our Earth-friendly, sustainable design features! First up: Green Rooftops and Living Walls! Stay tuned!

Bainbridge Island Tour of Architects

2010-03-18T08:37:00.000-07:00

Matthew Coates of Coates Design (www.coatesdesign.com) – the Architects for The Island Gateway – will be presenting their recently completed “Ellis Residence” as part of this years Bainbridge Island Tour of Architects. The Residence is registered with the USGBC and designed to exceed the goal of LEED Platinum. The tour is showcasing some of Bainbridge Island’s leading architectural design and the fabulous architects behind these projects. Don’t miss this event, THIS SUNDAY (11am - 4pm) 7268 Madrona Drive. Check out the website for more details: www.tourofarchitects.com.

Its a Green Day

2010-03-17T18:02:00.000-07:00

The Island Gateway wishes you a HAPPY ST. PATTY's DAY! After all, green is
our favorite color!!

Big crane and huge pieces of steel

2010-03-16T17:06:00.000-07:00

It’s all kinds of exciting out on the construction site today. Drilling for the elevator shafts is underway. There’s a crane to lift the elevator jack shafts and auger cast pilings. In simple English, there’s a big crane and huge pieces of steel getting moved around out there. Drive by and check it out.

The Island Gateway Expands Web Presence

2010-03-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

MARCH 13th

The Island Gateway is expanding its web presence! You can now keep up to date with us on Facebook to track news and progress of the project. You can find us by searching "The Island Gateway" in the Facebook search and be sure to become our fan so you can be the first to get exciting news!

Come Tour The Island Gateway Construction Site

2010-03-15T12:36:00.000-07:00

MARCH 10th

Public tours of The Island Gateway construction site are now running every Wednesday at 3:30pm and 4:30pm. Come learn about the beautiful, functional, and environmentally sustaining design features of this project. In other words, come see how The Island Gateway is being built with your conscience in mind. For more info about the tour please contact us at info@theislandgateway.com and we will get you scheduled for a tour!

The Island Gateway Discovery Center Now Open!

2010-03-15T12:33:00.000-07:00

MARCH 5th

The Island Gateway Discovery Center is now open and available to the community! The Discovery Center is a community space- for your use - which includes a large conference table, lounge area, digital presentation screen and more, all conveniently located at the corner of Winslow and 305. This space is available for your meetings and gatherings by appointment. To book the Discovery Center please contact us at info@theislandgateway.com

First Friday Gallery Walk

2010-03-15T12:29:00.001-07:00

MARCH 5th

The Bainbridge Art Museum hosted March's First Friday Gallery Walk at The Island Gateway's new Discovery Center on Winslow Way!

They will be hosting the First Friday Gallery Walks, monthly, at the Discovery Center - the future site of the Museum's new home! Join us to view a small display of whimsical works from the Museums collection.

www.bainbridgeartmuseum.org

KiDiMu Recieves Healthy Tomorrow Award

2010-03-15T12:26:00.000-07:00

MARCH 4th

Soon to be resident of The Island Gateway, KiDiMu (Kids Discovery Museum), received the Healthy Tomorrow award and a full-page feature article from the Kitsap Sun newspaper on March 4th. The article mentions many of the Museum's programs and classes and perhaps most importantly states, "KiDiMu is committed to offering children enriched learning opportunities through play, and inspiring a lifelong love of exploration." We are excited and honored to have KiDiMu as a member of The Island Gateway community! Learn more about KiDiMu at www.kidimu.org

The Island Gateway makes Spartan Standard Headlines

2010-03-15T12:22:00.000-07:00

MARCH 1st

Highschool reporter, Henri Gedreau, of The Spartan Standard recently wrote an article about the positive transformation of Winslow Corner that is taking place through the development of The Island Gateway. You can find the article in the school paper's March 1st edition http://www.bainbridge.wednet.edu/bhs/newspaper.

Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce Moves

2010-03-15T12:09:00.000-07:00

MARCH 1st

The Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce, a long-time resident of the Winslow Inn, has moved to its new location at 395 Winslow Way East - between the Streamliner Diner and Johansson Clark Realty. The Chamber of Commerce is the "go-to" place for islanders and visitors alike, so be sure to visit them! They plan to have an open house just as soon as they get settled. Find out more about the Chamber at www.bainbridgechamber.com

Their old headquarters is now the home of PHC, The Island Gateway's construction firm.

www.phc-construction.com

KiDiMu Goes Vertical!

2010-03-09T18:59:00.000-08:00

2010.01.11
KiDiMu goes vertical! The Kids Discovery Museum is now in the steel framing stage. Check out our construction photos below and watch the KiDiMu go up before your very eyes!

Proposed Right-of-Way Vacate

2010-03-09T18:54:00.000-08:00

Island Gateway submitted an application to the City on July 7, 2009 to request that the City vacate a right-of-way known as South View Street – see images below.

As part of the request for right-of-way vacation, Island Gateway will dedicate to the City a right-of-way along Winslow Way:

Proposed area to be vacated: 2,470 square feet
Proposed area to be dedicated: 3,800 square feet

Revised Design Review Board Submittal

2010-03-09T18:48:00.000-08:00

As we refine the plans for the project, the Island Gateway team made a minor revision to the design for the commercial buildings along the central plaza. The overall floor area of the project is less than originally proposed and the parking garage is reduced in size. Island Gateway submitted a request to the Department of Planning and Community Development to approve this revision to the approved Site Plan Review. We also asked the Design Review Board to comment on the revision.