Accessible Pathways Project

Accessible Pathways Project: Port Angeles Main Library, May-July 2026
Grant funded by the Department of Commerce and matched by Timber Revenue

If you visit the Port Angeles Library, you’ll notice a few changes outside. It’s all part of an exciting effort to make the library safer, more accessible, and better equipped for the future.

Crews from Interwest Construction Inc (ICI) have made repairs to failing parking lots, improved drainage, created ADA-compliant sidewalks to the main entrance and emergency exits, changed landscaping for safe pathways, and made other enhancements to the surrounding grounds. The Accessible Pathways Project has the important goal of ensuring everyone who visits the library can do so more safely.

Library Remains Open: The good news? The library remained open during regular hours throughout construction. There was a bit more noise than usual and there were some temporary parking changes.

  • Access during construction – Routes for walking and driving shifted from time to time, but construction staff guided both pedestrians and drivers to support safe entry and exit from the library.
  • Construction hours – The majority of construction work continued into early July, with work typically happening Monday through Thursday between 7:00am and 5:00pm. The construction crew will be back on site Friday, July 31, for one additional day of work to complete a few remaining punch list items. Work will include coring holes in a couple of curbs to increase water drainage, placing epoxy, removing and replacing a few walkway panels that need correction, and checking an irrigation issue. The ADA parking area will be unavailable for the day while this work is happening. The crew will block off the ADA area on Thursday, July 30. Temporary ADA parking will be set up in the staff parking area.
  • Book drops – Outdoor book drops remain accessible.

Grant Funding: The need for repairs was first identified in 2020 and funding was secured in 2025 thanks to a $313,000 Library Capital Improvement Grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce. NOLS will match the grant and supplement funding through timber revenue from its Capital Budget. This project is not paid for by the levy.

Informational Updates: Behind the scenes, library staff and project partners will be meeting regularly to keep everything on track. As the project progresses, the library will continue sharing information so you will know what to expect next.

For those with questions, a helpful FAQ is available and will be updated during the project. You can also reach out directly by emailing portangeles@nols.org, asking staff, or calling Port Angeles Library Manager Travis Porter at 360-417-8500 x7715.

We appreciate your patience and flexibility during this time of improvement. These short-term inconveniences will lead to long-term benefits for everyone who uses and loves the Port Angeles Main Library.

Frequently Asked Questions

The NOLS Owner’s Representative, Acilia Consulting, and NOLS’ civil engineering and landscape architecture firm, AHBL, reviewed bids for a construction contractor. After a thorough review of the bid, qualifications, and references, Interwest Construction Inc (ICI) was awarded the contract for the Port Angeles Driveway Rehabilitation Project. The NOLS Board of Trustees approved the contract at the March 26, 2026, NOLS Board Meeting.

In June 2025, a $313,000 NOLS Library Capital Improvement Grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce was included in the Washington State Capital Budget and signed by Governor Ferguson.

No. This project was planned, financed, and approved prior to the NOLS proposed levy lid lift that went to voters on April 28, 2026.

Interwest Construction Inc (ICI) began work on Monday, May 4. The construction is expected to take about two months.

Monday through Thursday from 7:00am to 5:00pm. Currently, Interwest Construction Inc is not expected to conduct any work on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays.

No. We plan to remain open during our regularly scheduled hours. Patrons can expect there to be noise disruptions inside the library.

Patrons will be able to park in any designated parking areas not impacted by the established staging area by Interwest Construction Inc (ICI). Signage will indicate where patrons can safely park and access the library’s front entrance. ICI will have a flagger assisting with vehicle and pedestrian safety.

The existing accessible parking spots will remain available as long as construction allows. NOLS’ engineering firm, AHBL, has identified parking spaces in the parking lot on the east side of the building off Peabody Street as the best place for temporary accessible parking spots. This parking lot area has a sloped curve and crosswalk to the sidewalk leading to the front entrance of the library.

Interwest Construction will have staff on site to help direct traffic and walking routes to support safe entry and exit of the front library entrance while work is being done.

Yes. The outdoor book drops will remain accessible to patrons during library open hours as well as after-hours. Patrons may have to bring their returns from the parking lot instead of driving through the fire lane.

The NOLS accessibility study conducted in 2023 found existing sidewalks adjacent to the accessible parking area failed to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for slope. Furthermore, it was noted that there are no sidewalks leading away from two emergency exits on the west side of the building. To address these issues, the work includes regrading several existing sidewalks and adding two new sidewalks that connect the west side emergency exits to the main sidewalk and the accessible parking area.

Some trees and landscaping need to be removed for driveway, drainage, sidewalk, and accessibility improvements. Several trees were also unhealthy, too large for the area, nearing the end of their lifespan, or creating safety, access, and building maintenance concerns. NOLS is working with AHBL’s landscape architect on replacement landscaping that will better support how people access, use, and enjoy the library.

Yes. We have notified the PAFB Mobile Market staff of the work that will be happening over the next two months. Based on where the majority of the work will be focused, there will be little impact on continuing to provide this important community service on Wednesday afternoons. Library staff will work closely with the PAFB Mobile Market staff if any changes to parking locations are needed.

A portion of the parking lot will be fenced off for equipment Interwest Construction will need to complete their work. This will include large construction vehicles, dumpsters, and other equipment.

This project will prepare the identified site for future outdoor holds lockers, but funding and installation of the lockers will be addressed separately as part of NOLS’ goal to expand services to patrons.

Most of the church’s parking lot will remain open during construction. NOLS is in regular contact with HTLC staff to keep them informed and address concerns throughout the project.

NOLS will share updates through social media and signage at the library. Patrons are welcome to ask Port Angeles Library staff for current information or send an email to portangeles@nols.org.

Travis Porter, Port Angeles Library Manager
tporter@nols.org
360-417-8500 x7715