How big is the property and how much of it is going to be developed?

The site spans 71.5 acres, with approximately 12 acres designated for development. The remaining 60 acres will be preserved as green space, shoreline, and public access—land that has been closed off to the community for more than a century.

What will be built at the Cove?

The proposed project includes roads and infrastructure to support a range of potential future uses such as residential uses including single-family homes, townhomes, senior living, and lower-density multifamily housing, complemented by small neighborhood-oriented businesses such as a coffee shop or wine bar. The specific future uses that will be built will be applied for in future permit applications.

Are there environmental concerns left behind by the paper mill?

From the earliest stages of this project, our team has worked voluntarily and in close coordination with the Washington State Department of Ecology to ensure the site is safe for residential use.

Will this project affect traffic on Chambers Creek Road?

A traffic study commissioned by our team in 2021 concluded that the traffic generated by the project will not be enough to require improvements to the surrounding road network. The previous study assumed that the planned roundabout project at the intersection of Chambers Creek Road and 64th St W in University Place, which is already failing, would be complete ahead of the Cove project. We are now collaborating with the Town of Steilacoom and University Place on an updated 2025 study, which will be made publicly available upon completion.

How close is the site to Chambers Bay Golf Course?

According to google maps, The Cove is just a 5 minute drive up Chambers Creek Road to the renowned Chambers Bay Golf Course

Will there be any remnants of the paper mill?

Yes! Proposed site designs includes a “Silo Park” which will incorporate the Old Mill’s “digester” silo’s into a public green space.

How is Chambers Creek Dam affiliated with the site?

The property interests associated with the former mill that the family now owns, includes a shared ownership of the dam with Pierce County. We have been collaborating closely with the County, Town of Steilacoom, Forterra, local tribes, the South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group, and other partners to accelerate its removal as a critical step in restoring the Chambers Creek watershed. The Chambers Bay Estuary Restoration project will remove the century-old dam, replace the existing bridge, restore up to 180 acres of estuary habitat, and reopen approximately 5.5 miles of upstream salmon habitat across Chambers Creek and its tributaries.