Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Could a new tax break finally jump‑start Village at Harbor Hill?
Spotted on the Gig Harbor calendar: Tacoma Narrows Airport Day
Greetings Gig Harbor! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Could a new tax break finally jump‑start Village at Harbor Hill?
- How a legal settlement reshaped planned housing density just outside Gig Harbor
- Why Fox Island's popular sandspit park won't be upgraded until 2027
Also on today's calendar: Tacoma Narrows Airport Day and 7 more events.
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Alix B.!
Today's riddle: What did the tree say when Spring arrived? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: Partial sunshine, with a high of 73 and low of 55 degrees.
- Saturday: Periods of sun with a shower, temps: high: 71, low: 52.
- Sunday: Low clouds breaking, with a high of 70 and low of 53 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Will Village at Harbor Hill get a boost from affordable housing tax incentive? (thenewstribune.com) — Gig Harbor's council will consider a 12-year multifamily tax exemption in September that could encourage more below-market rentals and influence the long-delayed Village at Harbor Hill project. The proposal would trade property tax breaks for projects with rent-restricted units, likely shifting a modest tax burden onto other residents. Developers are watching closely, but say the final income thresholds and requirements will determine whether they actually use the incentive. 
2. Settlement opens door for Rush to pursue smaller development in Purdy (gigharbornow.org) — Rush Companies has settled with the city of Gig Harbor and Pierce County, clearing the way to pursue a much smaller housing development in Purdy at one home per acre on 18.64 acres. The deal follows years of dispute over sewer service and growth boundaries after Purdy was removed from Gig Harbor's urban growth area. County actions now classify the area as a rural activity center, still leaving final project approval to Pierce County.
3. DeMolay Sandspit Park improvements on hold until next year (gigharbornow.org) — Improvements at DeMolay Sandspit Park on Fox Island are delayed until next summer, pushing completion of ADA upgrades, new restrooms, and expanded parking into 2027. PenMet Parks is still waiting on key permits while neighbors and Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One warn that current overflow parking on Bella Bella Road hampers emergency access. Added state funding will restore previously cut amenities like flush toilets and a larger picnic pavilion.
4. Seattle Transit Trivia Answers (seattletransitblog.com) — Transit buffs recently battled it out in a Seattle Transit Trivia night, and one of the questions highlighted Sound Transit Route 595, which uniquely serves stops in Gig Harbor outside the agency's taxing district. The answer recap offers a trove of nerdy facts on buses, ferries, Link light rail, and ORCA ridership across the region for anyone curious how our wider transit system works.
📸 Around Gig Harbor
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Gig Harbor
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- PHS- @ R.A. Football Pictures
Peninsula High School PHS Roy Anderson Field
8:00 am - Tacoma Narrows Airport Day →
Tacoma Narrows Airport, 1202 26th Ave NW, Gig Harbor
9:00 am - GHHS - RA - FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGE
Peninsula High School PHS Roy Anderson Field
6:00 pm - COM - PES / Gym & Stage area - Anthem Church
Purdy Elementary School PES - Classroom # 1, PES - Gym
8:00 am - COM - PHS / Fastpitch Field - HSC
Peninsula High School PHS - Fastpitch Field
5:00 pm - COM - HRMS / Turf and upper fields - SSA
Harbor Ridge Middle School HRM - Turf Field, HRM - Upper Field
5:30 pm - COM - PHS / Fastpitch Field - HSC
Peninsula High School PHS - Fastpitch Field
5:00 pm - COM - PHS / RA - HSC
Peninsula High School PHS Roy Anderson Field
5:30 pm - COM - PHS / Fastpitch Field - HSC
Peninsula High School PHS - Fastpitch Field
5:00 pm - Gardeners Guide to Growing Great Dahlias →
Pierce County Master Gardeners Gig Harbor Demonstration Garden, 10123 78th Ave NW, Gig Harbor
10:00 am
Saturday August 29
Sunday August 30
Monday August 31
Tuesday September 1
Wednesday September 2
Saturday September 12
🗓 Events Nearby
- Kid Program Kits: Craftopia Felt Pocket Pillow
Wheelock Branch Library 3722 North 26Th, Tacoma, WA 98407
10:00 am - Family Storytime
Wheelock Branch Library 3722 North 26Th, Tacoma, WA 98407
10:30 am - Drop-in Tech Help at Swasey Branch
Swasey Branch Library 7001 Sixth Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98406
11:00 am - Learn to Play Mah Jongg
Wheelock Branch Library 3722 North 26Th, Tacoma, WA 98407
1:00 pm
Friday August 28
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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🪧 Patch Classifieds
- Kitsap Roofing - Kitsap Roofing
Trusted Roofing in Kitsap – Quality Service You Can Count On... (More info)
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Is anyone looking for a black lab with a blue harness on?
He's on the Cushman trail behind the County City building heading towards the skate park. (Nextdoor Downtown Gig Harbor) - New robo-call scam this morning - your Medicare account has unspent funds.
They called from 253-432-8187. Medicare will never call you. Beware! (Nextdoor South Artondale)
- Kroger posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Gig Harbor. Apply here.
- YMCA of Greater Kansas City posted a job opening for Summer Day Camp Counselor in Gig Harbor. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Gig Harbor here.
Ok Gig Harbor! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: What a re-leaf! (Thank you Flo G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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