Update:

The City Arts Advisory Commission has announced that the opening of the art exhibit “What Sequim Means to Me” has been postponed until after the new Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar St., is officially open. The art show opening will be announced once a date is confirmed.  The art exhibit originally was scheduled to be on display at the Civic Center open house Friday, May 1. Finish work still is being completed on the facility and the exhibit space is not prepared for the display.

Original story:

The wiring is rolled out, the paint is dry and the finishing touches inside the Sequim Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar St., are close for its Friday unveiling.

City staff host an open house from 4-6:30 p.m. Friday, May 1, during the First Friday Art Walk with tours throughout the facility.

“People will be able to go just about everywhere so long as they can use the stairs,” said Interim Public Works Director David Garlington.

The elevator is awaiting inspection, he said, before it can be used.

“By and large, rooms on the second floor are done,” Garlington said.

Police officers and city staff will lead visitors through the new police station, council chambers and show where to go for other services.

Also at the open house, the rotating art exhibit will be up with its first display “What Sequim Means to Me,” with 16 pieces selected by the city’s Arts Advisory Committee. It’ll be displayed through December.

Lydig Construction and its subcontractors still have a tentative move-in date for city staff beginning on May 11 while opening day for business remains set for noon on Monday, May 18, following a ribbon cutting by the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The city council’s first meeting in the building tentatively is slated for June 8 and the city will hold a dedication ceremony on the community plaza at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 13.

More logistics

One of the selling points for city staff and volunteers to residents for building a new $14.45 million city hall and police station was eliminating rental payments for the city’s police department, public works building and current city hall.

Deputy administrative services director Sue Hagner said they just paid their last rent in May worth nearly $16,000, which includes a three-month early termination charge of three month’s rent at nearly $48,000 from the general fund.

The community plaza in front of the Civic Center also received a final price of $466,982. In the area, it’ll feature open space, areas for a 9/11 artifact from the World Trade Center, a totem pole donated by the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and more.

Garlington said the plaza won’t be ready for the open house but will be for the June dedication ceremony.

City councilors continue to finalize details for the center, too. They agreed on April 27 to a parking agreement with First Federal at 333 N. Sequim Ave., to lease 15 designated spaces for $10 each a month.

City Manager Steve Burkett said the deal had been in negotiations for a while and that they are considering assigning parking spots for certain staff to create less congestion around the Civic Center.

In March, Burkett announced the city broke off negotiations to rent 161 and 169 W. Spruce St., owned by Ron Fairclough, for parking up to 10 public works vehicles. The city was seeking $850 a month for three years but Fairclough said his last offer was $1,100 per month.

Councilors also approved a possible pay increase in contract fees and contingencies for the Civic Center’s consulting manager, Cort Olson of Optimum Building Consultants. He will receive up to $30,000 more for his contract ($220,000-$250,000 over 1½ years), which could last another three months to finish the project.

When the Civic Center does open, its regular business hours after opening day will change. Currently, the city hall opens at 7:30 a.m. and the police department at 8 a.m. but city councilors approved a resolution to change the new building’hours officially to 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

City Attorney Craig Ritchie said after discussions with staff, the need among residents was to stay open later.

For updates on the project, visit sequimwa.gov or call 683-4139.