On Monday, November 14, 2011, the Sequim City Council accepted an Honorable Mention in the category of Physical Plans – Small Cities and Counties from the Washington American Planning Association and Planning Association of Washington for the recently adopted Downtown Plan. The award was presented by Richard Hart, Director of Community Development for the City of Covington and Chair of the awards committee.
“This planning project targets 'main street' and the important significance that downtowns play in a community’s identity, as well as the citizens’ perception of their way of life,” said Hart. “Overall, it is a great piece of planning work for a unique small town with a different demographic.”
The plan was submitted for the award by Chris Hugo, Sequim Director of Community Development. The award recognizes the work of the entire project team which includes the City of Sequim, LMN Architects, Studio Cascade, Fehr & Peers, Inc., Leland Consulting Group, Lorax Partners, and Sollod Studio.
The development of the plan incorporated considerable community involvement including an advisory group of downtown business operators, open houses, public meetings, and working groups that allowed participants to fill out notes and post them on display boards indicating uses and ideas for downtown.
“Our new Downtown Plan responds to many growth challenges and opens new opportunities to enhance the economic and social vitality of our city center,” said Chris Hugo, Director of Community Development. “The many community and downtown interests that invested their time and energy in the creation of this Plan hold high expectations for the future it offers.”
“I have great aspirations for downtown and I believe that our new plan and code will carry it into the future in a way that will serve Sequim’s residents and merchants well,” commented Mayor Ken Hays.
The City of Sequim is working to begin implementing many of the short-term plan goals in 2012.