SEQUIM — The Baja Cantina, 820 W. Washington Street, was destroyed by a May 19 fire. The demolition of the building, which also housed the former location of the Sequim Consignment Co., should begin by the end of this month.
Building owner Linda Diesen said she has been working with her insurance company through the intervening months to accomplish the demolition.
We Dig It, a Sequim demolition company, will perform the work.
We Dig It owner John Dickinson said he applied this week for a permit from the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency, the first step toward applying for a demolition permit from the City of Sequim.
The ORCAA demolition permit ensures no asbestos abatement is required.
Dickinson said once that’s done, he’ll begin work on the project.
It will continue “until I’m done,” he said.
Sequim city officials confirmed Dickinson has been in contact regarding a city demolition permit.
Sequim City Manager Steve Burkett discussed the demolition of the building during the city council’s Monday, Oct. 13, meeting. He said dealing with the issue has required a delicate balancing act.
“We didn’t want to jump on them after a tragedy,” he said. “But five or six months is too long.”
Diesen agreed, saying she has been frustrated by the difficulties of working through the insurance paperwork.
“It was rough,” she said. “I don’t want to look at the building either. It’s kind of nauseating.”
Rebuilding in question
Diesen said she would still like to rebuild but isn’t certain if that will be possible. That question still is to be resolved with the insurance company, she said.
Diesen received a partial demolition permit from the city in July allowing her to clean out the restaurant’s kitchen.
“I was concerned about the food in the kitchen could be a problem,” she said.
Diesen bought the building, valued at $590,165 by the county assessor, in 2004.
She said she spent much of the past decade renovating the building.
For decades, it was the site of the Red Ranch Inn restaurant and lounge with exterior decor matching the ranch-style motel to the west.
The motel was unharmed.
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Reporter Mark St.J. Couhig can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at mcouhig@peninsula
dailynews.com.
