11In total, after nearly five months of work, 45 buildings and storefronts, mainly downtown, were cleaned, painted or repaired in some fashion, with the help of more than 200 volunteers and a few hired paint crews.
The project began in May and ended about a week ago, not because of a lack of volunteers or buildings to paint, but because dry, sunny weather could no longer be guaranteed with the arrival of fall.
The project initially was expected to last for only six weeks while the Hood Canal Bridge was closed for repairs in May and June.
200 volunteers
But with the help of more than 200 volunteers, the project grew as more building owners chose to sign up.
The project worked by having volunteers, or the building owners themselves, adopt a building or storefront to paint or spruce up in some other way.
In return, the workers received paint and equipment either donated or discounted by local businesses.
The new paint schemes were designed for free by Charles Smith of Lindberg & Smith Architects.
In total, more than 3,500 volunteer hours, or roughly $66,500 worth of donated labor, was contributed to the project.
About $265,000 was spent on the project, mostly on paint and supplies and professional painters.
The idea for Painting Downtown arose out of a visit from an American Institute of Architects design team in March.
Kathy Charlton, owner of Olympic Cellars, proposed the idea to the Port Angeles Downtown Association and others in the community.
The project itself was lead by Jan Harbick, downtown association vice president and owner of Five SeaSuns Bed & Breakfast, and Edna Petersen, owner of Necessities and Temptations gift shop and a City Council candidate.
Working on a grant that the city won, the AIA team’s report, released in August, made recommendations for improving the city’s infrastructure and appearance.
One of its recommendations was to brighten building facades to encourage more tourists to explore the town.
While the organizers said they don’t know if the rehabilitation project will continue this spring, the city is hoping to build on what they started with a facade and sign improvement programs.
The programs provide a match up to $10,000 for improvements to the exteriors of buildings or $1,000 for sign improvements.
To qualify, buildings must be located within core commercial areas and meet other requirements in the city’s Facade and Sign Competitive Grant program.
The first grants will be awarded Dec. 10.
The deadline to apply is Nov. 10.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.