1. Chambers Bay name selected for world-class golf destination

Pierce County today announced Chambers Bay as the official name of the championship-caliber golf course to be constructed within the 930-acre Chambers Creek Properties, a former gravel mine overlooking Puget Sound.
The course, designed to promote the area’s economic development and tourism, is scheduled to open in 2007.

“The name Chambers Bay takes advantage of our history and geography. Thomas Chambers was a settler who founded the first town in Washington State, and the bay is perfectly situated on Puget Sound. A marine shoreline, tree-covered islands and the Olympic Mountains create a setting unrivaled in our part of the country,” said County Executive John Ladenburg. “We’ve been told there are few comparable sites in the United States, and that we’ll have the type of golf course people will come from great distances to play.”

The announcement of Chambers Bay follows the recent selection of Northbrook, Illinois-based KemperSports Management as development consultant during the design process and operator of the tournament-capable destination course. The addition of KemperSports completed a team of designers and engineers including the legendary golf course architect Robert Trent Jones II of Palo Alto, Calif., site planner Berger Abam of Federal Way and clubhouse architect Miller/Hull Partnership in association with CHA of Seattle.

Offering panoramic views of Puget Sound, neighboring islands, and the Olympic Mountains, Chambers Bay is destined to be one of the most unique recreational opportunities on the West Coast. Dramatic elevation changes, cliffs and dunes topographically enhance the course. With a first-rate team in position to design, build and operate the course, Pierce County officials are confident the site will grow to attract golfers and tourists from across the nation as well as PGA, LPGA and USGA tournaments.

“Pierce County, Robert Trent Jones II and KemperSports’ project managers collaborated on a name that would convey the special nature of this golf project,” said Steve Skinner, president of KemperSports Management. “Chambers Bay captures the spirit, history and beauty surrounding this incredible site, and we are excited to lend our development marketing and operational expertise to put Pierce County on the golf map.”

For more information on Chambers Bay and Pierce County, visit
http://www.piercecountywa.org/ccp.

2. Assessor-Treasurer Madsen begins second term

Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer Ken Madsen starts his second term with high expectations based in part on technological improvements – the Computer Aided Mass Appraisal system in particiular – completed by his staff during the past four years.

“We have taken the necessary steps to streamline the process of valuing property and implementing tax assessments. In these times of lean budgets, it is imperative that our office is run like a business — accurate, fair, professional and service-oriented,” he said. “The next four years will be dedicated to maintaining that accuracy and equity and enhancing the new services available to the public because of the advancements in technology.”

During his first term, the office was improved through computerization, staff performance measures, property tax education and awareness outreach, and enhanced online Web services. “These accomplishments ultimately provide consistent, accurate property valuations, maximize productivity and save taxpayers time and money,” he said. “My commitment to taxpayers of paying only their fair share — not a penny more, but not a penny less – will receive the same attention during the coming four years as it did during my first term.”

3. Public meeting Feb. 9 to explore fish passage options on Spanaway Creek

Project options for removing a fish passage barrier on Spanaway Creek at the Bresemann Dam will be presented by Pierce County Public Works and Utilities Water Programs engineers at a public meeting Feb. 9. The meeting will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Sprinker Recreation Center’s Cedar Room, 14824 S. C St.

Three project design options are being considered: Removal of the dam and restoration of the original creek channel, construction of a concrete fishway, or construction of a relocated outlet channel. Each option would provide fish passage at the site as required by law and is feasible from an engineering perspective.

“Providing fish passage beyond this barrier opens up access to tremendous amounts of quality spawning habitat in the headwaters of Coffee Creek upstream of Spanaway Lake,” said Hans Hunger, Water Programs capital improvements manager.

Details of each construction alternative will be presented at the meeting and citizens will be given the opportunity to provide input. The project is scheduled for design throughout 2005 and construction in 2006.

The existing dam was installed in 1953 by the Washington Department of Game to prevent the escape of trout stocked in Spanaway Lake. A recommendation to correct the barrier was included in Pierce County’s 2002 Clover Creek Basin Plan.

Questions about the project may be directed to Ingo Kuchta, Water Programs project engineer at 253-798-6165, or Gloria Skinner, Water Programs outreach and education at 253-798-4688.

4. Citizens needed to help update Chambers Creek Properties plan

The citizens committee that helped develop the Chambers Creek Properties Master Site Plan in the 1990s is being brought back to life for the plan’s upcoming update. The Master Site Plan was developed in cooperation with the cities of Lakewood and University Place and the Town of Steilacoom.

The 15-member committee will provide input and advice to countyofficials and staff on planning, design and development issues on the 930-acre site, which is adjacent to Puget Sound and within the City of University Place. The committee, expected to start meeting in March, will meet once or twice monthly through the end of this year. “We are looking for individuals who can represent the county’s diverse areas and interests,” said Joe Scorcio, who manages the Chambers Creek Properties project.

Appointments to the committee are recommended by Executive John Ladenburg and confirmed by the County Council. County residents seeking appointment are requested to fill out an application and return it by Monday, Feb. 7 to Anne-marie Marshall-Dody at Pierce County Public Works and Utilities, 9850 64th St. W., University Place, WA 98467-1078.

Applications may be obtained by calling (253) 798-4141 or at the Chambers Creek Properties website, www.piercecountywa.org/ccp.

Highlights of the master site plan include the Pierce County Environmental Services Building and playfields, which have been completed, and the Chambers Bay destination golf course and walking trail system, boat launch, native plant arboretum, beach access and two public piers.