SEQUIM — City of Sequim officials are thinking creatively to support the safe reopening of local businesses during Governor Inslee’s “Safe Start” plan.
They’ve introduced the “Sequim Open Streets and Special Events Initiative” as a way of helping businesses and their customers practice physical distancing as they navigate the rules of the Phase 2 reopening.
The Initiative gives the City more leeway by temporarily lifting some Municipal Code requirements that now allow them to provide things like outdoor picnic tables on downtown City property and designated parking spaces for curbside pickup only.
According to Assistant City Manager Charisse Deschenes, there is even talk of possible street closures for safe shopping and permitting art shows and performances in public spaces.
“Last night at the council meeting the council was very supportive of doing something on July 4th if the business owners are excited about, you know, maybe doing a shopping Saturday on July 4th, and you know, there may be an opportunity through the Chamber if they’re interested in bringing music to the downtown or something like that. We’re just, we’re in the beginning stages of that conversation and there are still some details that we will work out as we go. So if their are ideas that the community has, please contact us and we will listen.”
Deschenes says the Public Works Department and Community Development Directors are discussing a temporarily waiver of fees for Special Event Permits as well.