The City of Sequim will close West Washington Street between Sequim Avenue and Second Avenue from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, July 3, and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, July 4.

The closure will allow businesses to expand out onto the sidewalk and provide additional space for customers to safely social distance while shopping, city representatives said.

The street closure, city representatives said, is in keeping with Sequim’s Open Streets and Special Events Initiative, which states that, “the City may provide outdoor picnic tables on City property, identify parking spaces for curbside pickup only, schedule street closures for safe shopping, allow additional signage and outdoor seating, permit art shows and performances in public spaces, locate hand sanitation near seating areas and at intersections, and at the discretion of the Public Works and Community Development Directors, temporarily waive fees required for Special Event Permits.”

Assistant City Manager Charisse Deschenes noted that “we are working with the Chamber of Commerce to support our local businesses without compromising on the health and safety of their employees or customers. The street closure creates more space for businesses to comply with Governor Jay Inslee’s ‘Safe Start’ Initiative.”

If successful, Deschenes said, it is anticipated that this type of street closure may be repeated and or expanded over the summer months.

For more information, contact Deschenes at cdeschenes@sequimwa.gov or 360-681-3432.