SEQUIM — A project planned to turn the city’s aging community center into a transit hub has become more complicated after work crews unearthed substantial problems with the building’s condition.
The structure, located at the corner of Second Avenue and Cedar Street, is the focus of a partnership between the city of Sequim and Clallam Transit System that nabbed $840,000 in federal funding reserved for transportation-related projects.
That cost may now rise as the City Council is asked by city staff this week to consider replacing the building instead of renovating it.
An agreement reached in 2003 between the city and the transit agency called for the city to sell the building and land it sits on to Clallam Transit, using sale proceeds as its portion of matching funds required to secure the federal grant.
In turn, Clallam Transit would add transit features and upgrades to the site — which it already uses as its Sequim bus hub — and lease the building back to the city for a negligible fee.
But the idea was launched years ago, and costs associated with renovation have increased since the City Council first eyed a tentative budget for the project.
The council holds its meetings in the converted church, as do the Planning Commission and several community groups.
Dry rot, insect problems
After crews from Arlington-based Fischer Construction began removing siding from the building last month, they discovered significant dry rot and insect infestation, city Public Works Director Jim Bay said.
Bay said some problems were anticipated, but the extent has surprised him.
“The foundation right now is pretty poor. A lot of it was going to be replaced,” Bay said.
“We started looking at that, then the roof started sagging.”
At least four roof joices are inundated with dry rot, and much of the frame is infested with carpenter ants.
City Manager Bill Elliott said he and Bay are studying the costs of replacing the building instead of remodeling it, but are still leaning toward recommending the remodeling.