Charleston Newsletter, Volume 3, Issue 7

David McBride: Helping Shape Charleston’s Future

As the Charleston Business District (CBD) began discussing ways to reenergize and strengthen our community, I found myself wishing we had access to a professional community planner who could help us create a clear vision for the future. It felt like a long shot, but I put the thought out into the universe anyway.

 About a month later, while reviewing emails sent to the Charleston Business District, I came across one from David McBride. He mentioned that he lived near the district and wanted to volunteer and support the CBD in any way he could. I was delighted by the offer and was about to invite him to an upcoming meeting so we could learn more about him when I noticed something in his email signature: David was a professional community planner.

Needless to say, we felt incredibly fortunate.

 As it turns out, David has been an extraordinary addition to our organization. Not only is he a highly skilled community planner, but he is also deeply committed to the belief that successful communities are built by the people who live, work, and gather within them. His planning philosophy centers on engaging residents and stakeholders directly, ensuring that growth and development reflect the community’s vision rather than being imposed from outside.

 David grew up in Colorado and credits his passion for community involvement to the support and resources he received while growing up. His family faced significant challenges, and at age 17 he enlisted in the United States Navy as a Nuclear Mechanic. During his ten years of service, he developed valuable skills and gained opportunities that would shape his future.

“The Navy was my ticket out,” David says. Through his service, he was able to attend college, purchase a home using VA benefits, and access resources that helped create a foundation for long-term success. He remains deeply grateful for those opportunities.

 The Navy eventually brought David to Washington State, where he fell in love with the region and chose to make it his home. While attending college, he studied engineering and construction management, disciplines that appealed to his love of designing and building. However, his greatest passion emerged in community planning. Using his GI Bill benefits, David pursued graduate studies in community planning and has since worked with schools and public agencies to help develop both short- and long-range planning initiatives.

 Another area of focus for David is social justice and equity planning. He believes that planning processes should actively include diverse voices and ensure that projects serve the entire community. For him, community engagement is not simply a step in the process—it is the foundation of meaningful and sustainable development.

 David’s values align perfectly with those of the Charleston Business District. He is drawn to Charleston not only because he lives nearby, but because of its unique character and sense of place. As he describes it, “This is our place.”

 Recognizing the district’s tremendous potential, David hoped he could contribute to Charleston’s revitalization efforts and help support future investment and growth. Fortunately for us, he connected with Tim Baker, who shared the CBD newsletter and meeting minutes and encouraged him to get involved. Thank you, Tim!

 Since joining the organization, David has become one of our newest board members, facilitated two strategic planning sessions, and provided valuable resources and expertise that continue to help move the district forward.

When asked about his vision for Charleston, David shared:

“I want a community that is shaped by the people and for the people, where everyone has a place and feels supported.”

He envisions Charleston as a “third place”—a destination beyond home and work where people can gather, connect, and build relationships. These gathering spaces strengthen the social fabric of a community and help create the sense of belonging that makes neighborhoods thrive.

 David points to Café Corvo as a wonderful example of this concept in action. It is a place where people experience recognition, acceptance, safety, and community—a model that can inspire similar spaces throughout the neighborhood.

He also believes Charleston’s strong arts and cultural identity is one of its greatest assets. With continued support and investment, he sees arts and culture becoming a defining attraction not only for Charleston but for Bremerton as a whole in the years ahead.

 What excites David most is the energy and dedication of Charleston’s businesses, residents, and community supporters. He appreciates that people are actively working to improve the neighborhood, investing their time and talents to create positive change. He also values the district’s inclusive spirit and commitment to listening to community voices through a collaborative and democratic process.

 Outside of his professional work, David is an artist and maker at heart. He enjoys woodworking, metalworking, stone carving, ceramics, gardening, and landscape design. His interest in craftsmanship began in middle school through woodworking and metalworking classes and expanded during his Navy service, where he learned welding.

He enjoys creating things with his hands and views these hobbies as a welcome balance to a career that often involves long hours at a computer. Like many passionate people, he admits that he sometimes overcommits because there are simply too many interesting projects to pursue.

 Creativity also runs in the family. David’s wife is a talented artist whose work has been featured at Café Corvo, throughout downtown Bremerton, and in Federal Way. David proudly supports and celebrates her artistic accomplishments.

As he reflects on his many interests, David is quick to acknowledge the opportunities that have allowed him to pursue them. He remains a lifelong learner, regularly reading technical manuals, planning publications, and other educational materials to expand his knowledge and sharpen his skills. He is especially fascinated by understanding how things are made and how systems work.

 The Charleston Business District is incredibly fortunate to have David as part of our organization. His expertise, passion, and commitment to community complement the dedication of our many volunteers and partners. Together, we are building a stronger, more vibrant Charleston District—and David is helping us chart the course toward that future.

Neighborhood Safety Initiative: Addressing Broken Windows on Callow

 Hello Callow Community,

I am writing to share some concerning news. Recently, one of our
Discordia Games employees had their car broken into late at night while
working inside our shop. Upon reviewing our security footage, we
discovered that the suspect utilized a rock found on the street to smash
the window. Our cameras revealed that this rock had been sitting by a
nearby streetlight for several days, though we were unable to identify
when or by whom it was originally placed.

I am writing to express my concern regarding the recent criminal
activity in our area, as this appears to be part of a persistent
pattern. We previously documented break-ins at Kitsap Sports where
security footage captured suspects scouting the street for makeshift
tools to force entry. Furthermore, I am aware of at least four
additional incidents this year involving suspects using rocks to smash
vehicle windows on Callow Avenue. It is becoming increasingly clear that
this method of "shopping" for implements on-site is a recurring tactic
used to target local businesses and vehicles, and I wanted to bring this
trend to your attention.

I believe that if we make a collective effort to remove these loose
rocks whenever we spot them, we can proactively reduce the risk of
future vandalism. Thank you for your time and for your ongoing
commitment to making Callow the best place to do business in Bremerton.

Jason Rouse
Business Owner at Discordia Games