OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Renovation of the Olympic National Park Visitor Center is expected to begin in September.
A $3,393,241 contract has been awarded to Walker River Construction of Shurz, Nev., according to Penny Wagner, interim park spokeswoman.
The visitor center at 3002 Mount Angeles Road will be closed to the public at the end of business hours Sept. 5, Wagner said.
Interim facilities will be available to the public the following day, Sept. 6.
Two double-wide modular buildings will be located on the front lawn of park headquarters at 600 E. Park Ave. to house the temporary visitor center and Wilderness Information Center.
The temporary facilities will include portable toilets, additional parking and signage along Race Street and Park Avenue.
Contract work will begin Sept. 12 after exhibits and furnishings have been removed.
The contract period is seven months, with a completion targeted for April 2018, Wagner said.
To accomplish the quick construction in the short time frame, the contractor will have exclusive access to the visitor center site including the drives off Mount Angeles Road, the parking areas and the lawn down to Park Avenue.
The parking lot and trailheads originating at the visitor center will be closed during construction.
The visitor center has had no major upgrades since it was built in 1957, Wagner said.
Originally named the Pioneer Memorial Museum, it was built by several vocational carpentry classes from Roosevelt High School in Port Angeles.
Renovation, funded largely through entrance fees, will bring the facility into compliance with the Architectural Barriers Act accessibility standards, upgrade energy efficiency, comply with current life and safety codes, and aim to improve visitor and employee health and safety.
A new exterior restroom facility also will be added between the parking lot and the visitor center, Wagner said.
The contract specifically includes replacement of the heating and ventilation systems; replacement of existing single-pane windows with double-pane windows; electrical, plumbing and seismic upgrades; replacement of light fixtures with LED lighting; renovation of interior restrooms; installation of a fire suppression system; installation of additional insulation; connection to the city sewer system; replacement and repair of exterior concrete sidewalks and ramps; flooring and door replacement; installation of new interior signage; and exterior painting.
“This project will improve energy efficiency, accessibility and safety with upgrades that will also enhance visitor experience,” said acting Superintendent Lee Taylor.
“We plan to have the visitor center fully renovated and open to the public before the 2018 summer season.”
Walker River plans to use JMG Constructors LLC of Keyport as a major subcontractor on the project. Other local contractors include Olympic Electric of Port Angeles, Schmitt’s Sheet Metal of Port Angeles, United Testing and Balancing of Port Townsend and Moon Construction Specialties of Sequim.
For current road and travel information, visitors should consult the park website at www.nps.gov/olym or call the recorded Road and Weather Hotline at 360-565-3131.
