SEQUIM — Olympic Medical Center has opened bidding to upgrade its medical services building in Sequim.

Maximum consideration for the three-part project is $985,000.

The building at 840 N. Fifth Ave. opened in 2007 with its interior unfinished.

As OMC grew, the office space filled up, Chief Executive Officer Eric Lewis told hospital district commiss­ioners in their twice-monthly meeting Wednesday night.

Lewis said the long-planned project will help OMC recruit more doctors — one of the main goals in the hospital’s strategic plan.

“We want to make sure there’s enough primary care in the community and enough specialists,” Lewis said.

Doctor recruitment

OMC is recruiting two neurologists and more sub-specialists to work at the Sequim campus.

The expansion project includes:

■ Build 2,633 square feet of interior for the Olympic Medical Physicians Specialty Clinic on the first floor of the medical services building.

As the core element of the project, this expansion would add eight exam rooms and offices to house two neurologists and staff.

The base bid has a maximum consideration of $553,000.

■ Build 1,224 square feet of the cardiology clinic on the second floor of the medical services building. It would add four exam rooms and an office.

■ Build 935 square feet of a second-floor office suite.

In November, the seven OMC commissioners will have the option of rejecting all the bids, accepting only the base bid or a combination of the options.

“By adding the physicians, we’re going to add more local services, which will help, I think, our community and also help our organization,” Lewis said.

Dr. Rebecca Corley, who works in the building, said the specialty clinic needs space to grow.

“It’s not only the space for the providers, but it’s also the additional staff that we need to bring in to support those providers,” Corley said.

Bid approved

Commissioners on Wednesday also approved a $130,740 bid from Port Angeles-based Schmitt’s Sheet Metal for heating and air flow improvements — and a $73,150 bid from Port Angeles-based Olympic Electric for electrical upgrades — to the building at Eighth and Cherry streets in Port Angeles.

The improvements will bring the building up to hospital standards.

“We know we need more physician space,” Lewis said.

“We are currently recruiting two primary care physicians and two Allied Health professionals for here in Port Angeles to expand our primary care base and meet the needs of the community.”

Hospital standards means OMC can collect higher Medicare reimbursement. Lewis said the bump in reimbursement will cover the costs of the improvements in about a year.

“The goal is to get this space done by the end of the year,” Lewis said.

“So next year, it will be completed, and we can expand our services, which I think will help the local community have enough access to primary care but also help us stay financially viable.”

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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.