2026–2039 Kilkich Area Plan​

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Project Management & Planning Office  •  (541) 756-0904 •  projects@coquilletribe.org

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2026–2039 Kilkich Area Plan​

Project Details

The Kilkich Area Plan is part of the Ko-Kwel Nation 2039 vision, a long-term Tribal-led effort to shape our community’s future. The phases will focus on housing and program services that align with land use and transportation choices supporting the KKN 2039 vision.

For years, we have advanced development on the Kilkich property, including the resident village, Tribal government buildings, and the Ko-Kwel Wellness Center campus. This project will create an area plan for the North and South parcels—282 acres of developable land, primarily for residential use. The plan emphasizes:

  • Safe, accessible transportation for all abilities
  • Diverse housing opportunities
  • Infrastructure that protects natural resources and honors Tribal stewardship and sustainability

Upcoming Meetings and Materials

Coquille tribal citizen input is essential. As future ancestors, we have the responsibility to plan for generations to come. 

To facilitate this, some meetings will be open to the public. Others will be closed session for executive leadership to determine the direction of the project. 

Notifications of opportunities for tribal members to engage in the planning process will be delivered via MyTribe, the K’wen Weekly, the K’wen Newsletter, and posts on the K’wen ‘inish-ha Facebook Group.

We also strongly encourage tribal members to sign up for Project Updates through Nixle! TEXT keyword “BUILD“ to 888777. Updates will be provided bi-weekly throughout the project.

Any questions regarding the Kilkich Area Plan, the Steering Committee, or upcoming sessions and workshops should be directed to the CIT Projects team at Projects@coquilletribe.org or 541-756-0904. 

Open Community Sessions
  • TBA
Executive Sessions

These are closed sessions unless otherwise noted.

Tribal Council Workshops
  • TBA

The Steering Committee includes:

  • Steering Committee Chair – Mark Johnston (CIT – CEO)
  • Anne Cook (CIHA – E.D.)
  • Delegate: Debbie Dennis (CIHA – Operations Manager)
  • Judy Farm (Tribal One – CEO)
  • Margaret Simpson (CEDCO – CEO)
  • Fauna Hill (CIT – E.D. Office of Strategic Operations)
  • Brett Kenney (CIT – Tribal Attorney)
  • Caryn Mickelson (KWC – Health and Wellness CEO)
  • John Ogan (CIT – E.D. Natural Resources)
  • Kyle Viksnehill (CIT – CFO)
  • Bridgett Wheeler (CIT – E.D. Programs and Services)

Project Overview

Timeline

Project kicks off in January 2026. Updates will be provided bi-weekly throughout.

  • Phase 1; January – June
  • Phase 2; June – August
  • Phase 3; August- October
  • Phase 4; October – November

Estimated completion date of November 2026.

Location

Kilkich Reservation, North and South Parcels

Project Cost

ODOT Grant Funded

Estimated $250K

KAP Project Overview

Phases

PHASE 1 - Analysis

JANUARY – JUNE
This phase is about listening and learning together. We’ll gather information on the land, transportation systems, housing needs, and natural resources within the Kilkich area. The goal is to understand current conditions and identify opportunities and challenges. Tribal members’ knowledge and priorities will guide this work, ensuring that cultural values and environmental stewardship remain at the heart of the plan.

PHASE 2 - Preliminary Alternatives

JUNE – AUGUST
Here, we start imagining possibilities. Using input from Tribal Council retreats, community visioning, and feedback from members, we’ll outline several preliminary land use and transportation options. These alternatives will reflect what the community values most, like safe roads, housing choices, and protection of natural resources, while addressing gaps and improving connectivity.

PHASE 3 - Preferred Alternative

AUGUST – OCTOBER
This is where the community’s voice shapes the future. Together, we’ll review the preliminary options and choose the one that best fits our shared vision for a livable, resilient Kilkich community. The preferred alternative will include details like housing layouts, transportation routes, and design elements that honor Tribal identity and environmental responsibility.

PHASE 4 - Final Plan

OCTOBER – NOVEMBER
The final phase turns ideas into an actionable plan. We’ll prepare a comprehensive document that includes maps, design standards, and a phased implementation strategy with funding options. This plan will be ready for adoption by Tribal leadership and will serve as a roadmap for creating a vibrant, sustainable community, built by and for the Coquille people.

Project News

Monthly Updates
February 3, 2026 - Project Kick Off

The Steering Committee at the helm of the Kilkich Area Plan convened a project kickoff on January 26, 2026 at the Ko-Kwel Casino Resort | Coos Bay, marking the formal start of a comprehensive planning effort that will guide the future of development around the Kilkich community. The three-hour session brought together project staff, consultants, and steering committee representatives from Coquille Tribal Government, Coquille Indian Housing Authority, Tribal One, and the State of Oregon to review project goals, clarify roles, and begin shaping the vision for the plan.

The Kilkich Area Plan will build on two major guiding documents, the Empire Comprehensive Plan and Ko Kwel Nation 2039. Together, they form the foundation for a long-range strategy that will update land use policy, identify infrastructure needs, and support future growth while honoring the Tribe’s cultural values.

The project team presented a project overview, outlining key components including a recommended site concept, transportation system plan, prioritized improvement projects, and updates to the Tribe’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Ordinance 315.

Steering Committee members participated in a series of exercises to identify personal and group goals for the process. Several themes emerged, including the importance of understanding what types of development are appropriate for the Tribe’s North and South Parcels. Committee members emphasized that education, cultural connection, and opportunity draw Coquille tribal citizens back to the area, factors they hope the plan will reflect. The meeting also included a review of feedback collected through a map and dot-placing activity to review Empire Plan land use zones.

The following day, the project team and contractors completed a site tour of Kilkich and the surrounding forested areas. The visit provided valuable on-the-ground insight into natural features, land conditions, and potential future opportunities, perspectives that will directly support the next stages of the Kilkich Area Plan. This project is working towards an implementable plan.

The project timeline extends through the end of 2026, with transportation and housing analysis to begin soon. The first phase of the project is reviewing and updating data. The next steps are still information gathering: Tribal Council interviews, Steering Committee memo reviews, and local agency meetings in March to introduce the project. The planning process will continue with opportunities for Coquille tribal citizen community involvement around April or May when we have content to share.

Relevant materials:

Other Information