The Northwest Maritime Center raised a new addition to their campus in the form of an 18-foot-tall sign on the Water Street side of the property.

In close proximity to the Jamestown S’Klallam totem pole put up in 2019, the new sign bears the maritime center’s name along with the phrase, “Because the sea is the most powerful teacher we know,” along the side of the obelisk.

Construction to install the sign began Thursday morning, as a crane lifted it into place while workers guided it into the ground.

In the early afternoon, concrete was poured around the obelisk, and the sign was finished in the late afternoon.

“I think it’s great; it’s something that we’ve needed for a while,” said Jake Beattie, the maritime center’s executive director. “The letters light up from the inside, they glow.”

The Northwest Maritime Center has had plans to put the new sign up for over a decade, but finally got the green light from the city.

“There is a robust review process for city permitting; it requires the sign out from multiple committees,” Beattie said. “It was almost a 12-year process.”

The organization has focused on making its campus easier to navigate, as the multiple buildings and floors can sometimes confuse visitors.

The newly-constructed obelisk in front should help people to traverse the property, Beattie hopes.

“We’ve been working with professionals to make our campus more user-friendly,” Beattie said.

Before constructing the sign, the maritime center contacted the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe to make sure the addition wouldn’t infringe on the cultural significance of the nearby totem pole. After the Tribe approved, the organization began construction on the new sign.

“We did get in touch with the Tribe to make sure it was culturally appropriate,” Beattie said.