Sequim asks for input on community plaza Monday

SEQUIM ­— Sequim’s new City Hall could have its own front yard by summer if council members approve construction of a new community plaza when they meet Monday.

The city will host an open house on the proposal from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sequim Transit Center, 190 W. Cedar St.

A study session will begin at 5 p.m.

During the meeting immediately afterward, the council will to decide what phases of the plaza project to approve.

Under construction

The grass-and-paving plaza would grace the new 33,000-square-foot civic center under construction at North Sequim Avenue and Cedar Street.

The center will include the Police Department, which has been housed in the Sequim Village Shopping Center, plus city offices in space the city had formerly rented to the Head Start program and in a former medical office building on Fifth Avenue.

“The project itself has been underway for about the past 15 years,” said City Manager Steve Burkett.

Following voter approval, groundbreaking was held about a year ago, he said.

If the original plan were built, the plaza would cost $1.1 million, Burkett said.

First three phases

He said he will recommend that the council approve its first three phases, which total about $530,000.

Contractors could finish the work as early as May or June, he said.

The original plan calls for an irrigated grass and gravel plaza, plantings and a Native American totem pole.

The options under consideration Monday:

■ Phase one, which would cost $300,000 and include colored pavers, concrete strips from Cedar Street to a Heritage Walk south of the plaza, raised planters, a circular pad for future art, street lamps, decorative lamps and two flag poles at a 9/11 memorial, plus plumbing for a future “water feature.”

■ Phase two, which would add $80,000 for more pavers, more planters and concrete strips to a Heritage Walk on the north side of the plaza, plus trees there.

■ Phase three, which would add $150,000 to include two more decorative lamps, and colored pavers and concrete strips across the plaza.

It would not include the fountain, which architects envision as water spouting vertically from ports in the plaza.

One roof

The new City Hall will put one roof over the local government’s head, replacing an overcrowded 40-year-old building that has been torn down.

Lydig Construction of Seattle is building the new civic center, designed by Integrus Architecture of Seattle, under an $11.85 million contract.

Including land acquisition and other costs, the new facility is projected to cost just more than $16 million.

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Reporter James Casey can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jcasey@peninsuladailynews.com

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