Following a months-long process in which the state Department of Commerce helped Hoquiam officials come up with two areas of emphasis in which Commerce could help spur development in the town, the Hoquiam City Council has made its choices — Olympic Stadium and the revitalization of downtown combined with affordable housing.
A list of 57 priorities were identified through community events in December. A leadership group narrowed the list to five in February and the council chose its top two at a council retreat March 2.
It’s all part of a Department of Commerce pilot project called New Horizons, in which participating cities work with Commerce officials to focus on projects that could fall under the umbrella of the agency’s programs. Hoquiam was one of three cities chosen for the pilot, the other two are Chewelah and Toppenish.
The first priority announced was “revitalization of downtown/affordable housing.” These were two separate choices on the initial list but were put together at the February leadership meeting because of the close connection between revitalization and creating multi-use living space.
“This is a good opportunity for the city to leverage the partnership between the city and Commerce,” said Ward 2 Councilman Steven Puvogel. Commerce has grants, loans and technical assistance that could make use of existing downtown buildings to create a mix of retail space and housing units.
The Commerce pilot project does not guarantee funding for participating cities’ priorities. It is designed to provide technical assistance and a community action report to help narrow the list of projects that Commerce has the ability to help with, either through planning, financial support or other assistance.
Olympic Stadium was chosen among the top-two to “leverage funding to really bring this jewel of the community into the next several decades,” said Puvogel.
Last year, the historic wooden stadium received more than $500,000 for repairs through the state budget, administered by Commerce. Upcoming work to the stadium includes a new sprinkler system under the grandstands, and the demolition of the offices and concession spaces under the west grandstand section. The existing roof canopy at the main entrance would be demolished and a new one built.
These improvements were brought up at Monday’s council meeting as a report from the Hoquiam Historic Preservation Commission was presented. City Administrator Brian Shay explained because the city is going out to bid on upcoming restoration work, and the stadium is on the city’s historical register, the work needed to be reviewed by the commission to make sure it fit within what is allowed for historic buildings.
Commerce has several programs that could benefit the stadium, including community block grants. Commerce also has an emerging issues grant that can help with the creation of comprehensive plans for downtown revitalization, and numerous programs related to affordable housing.
