Construction began again this week on the Guy Cole Mini-Convention Center in Carrie Blake Community Park.

Staff with the City of Sequim anticipate work running 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday through March 31.

The city will work with a $436,500 budget from the 2015-2017 Washington State Capital Budget through the Department of Commerce Direct Grant Program. Sequim city councilors agreed to a contract with Hoch Construction of Port Angeles for about $361,500 plus an additional 10 percent for contingencies or change orders on Nov. 14.

This phase of remodeling includes multiple projects such as dropping the ceiling 18 inches to 2 feet to improve acoustics and lighting, removing the stage, replacing all fixtures, the flooring, lighting and windows.

City councilors also opted to go with an asphalt shingle roof over metal in November to save funds and use them to renovate the kitchen with new appliances, hood equipment, sinks and more.

City staff said visitors to the park can expect construction vehicles, equipment and dumpsters in the vicinity of the building but vehicular access and parking will remain open with some minor encroachments from construction activity.

The building originally was finished in 1983 by the Sequim Lions and in recent years city staff and volunteers have pushed to remodel the building and promote its use.

Students with the North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center remodeled the former Lions Den meeting room from 2014-2015.

Business development

Sequim city councilors agreed Monday, Jan. 9, to a $4,000 contract with the Small Business Development Center through Washington State University to provide local businesses with technical assistance.

Assistant City Manager Joe Irvin said Kevin Hoult, certified business advisor and local development center representative, has been working a lot in Sequim to develop part-time and full-time jobs, and he’ll will work with city staff and local businesses in many parts.

Those include:

• Acting on referrals from city staff to gather more information, make a field visit and assist in business planning.

• Supporting special business to be proactive in scenarios such as when street improvements or other city projects may impact their business.

• Participating in quarterly round tables such as with the Economic Development Corporation and other agencies.

• Delivering business or economic development presentations to audiences, such as the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce and Sequim City Council.

• Delivering Small Business Development Center activity reports

• Serving as a municipal resource in matters of economic development

Irvin said the agreement follows the city’s Economic Development Plan for Business Retention/Expansion, which city councilors agreed upon in December.

As needed, Hoult will have desk space available in the Sequim Civic Center and funding for the agreement is matched by federal funds through the Small Business Administration.

Sequim city councilors meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, in Sequim City Hall, 152 W. Cedar St.

Sequim Public Works Director David Garlington discusses options for replacing the roof at the Guy Cole Convention Center on Sept. 12, 2016, during a tour for Sequim city councilors. Construction on the site began this week and is expected to finish in March. Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash