PORT ANGELES — The Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles will be temporarily closed beginning today for $3.4 million in renovations, including the addition of exterior restrooms.
Visitor Center and Wilderness Information Center services headquartered at the Mount Angeles Road facility will be offered beginning today in two double-wide modular buildings about a half-mile north at 600 E. Park Ave., on the front lawn of park headquarters.
Completion is expected in April, park spokeswoman Penny Wagner said Monday in a prepared statement.
There have been several additions to the 60-year-old building, but this will be the first major upgrade, Wagner said.
“It’s going to be really exciting to get back here next spring after all the work’s been done,” Wagner said Tuesday in an interview.
Signs posted along Race Street and Park Avenue will direct visitors to the temporary facilities.
The project will bring the facility into compliance with the 1968 Architectural Barriers Act signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson, who said government perpetuates “cruel discrimination” when it fails to address architectural barriers and does not increase accessibility.
The contract includes replacing the heating and ventilation systems and single-pane with double-pane windows; electrical, plumbing and seismic upgrades; installation of LED lighting; renovating interior restrooms; and installing a fire suppression system.
It also includes connecting the visitor center with the city sewer system, installing new interior signage and painting the exterior.
North Olympic Peninsula contractors for the project include Olympic Electric and Schmitt’s Sheet Metal of Port Angeles, Moon Construction Specialties of Sequim and United Test &Balance of Port Townsend.
________
Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@ peninsuladailynews.com.
