Finance department remodel: We’re pleased to report that the remodel of our Finance Department in City Hall — including an improved customer service area and contemporary, more efficient and effective staff work areas — is almost complete! Workers (shown in image above) are completing the finishing touches and we expect to open the doors to the public before end of the year. Thank you to everyone involved!
Climate action presentation: The Mayor’s Office of Climate has been using community feedback and greenhouse gas emissions modeling data to determine what actions can best help our community meet goals to reduce carbon emissions. Staff will present recommended actions to promote building electrification at a City Council meeting on December 11 at 1 p.m. Tune in for a discussion of plans for a climate equity and engagement plan, workforce development, incentives for home energy retrofits and more. Staff will also share recommendations to promote vehicle electrification at a Council meeting in early 2024. Find the December 11 meeting agenda on our Meetings Page or catch the rebroadcast of the meeting on BTV.
Open houses for draft bicycle plan: We need your feedback! After working with the community to learn about what projects are most important to our residents, we have put together a draft update to the 2014 Bicycle Master Plan. Virtual Open Houses are scheduled for December 13 and December 14 to discuss the draft plan and answer questions and an Engage Bellingham page dedicated to accepting feedback is available until early January. The updated plan builds on the progress that we have made over the last ten years to build a safer and more connected bike network and has been adapted to reflect the evolving needs of our growing community.
Speaking of bicycle and pedestrian improvements: Here’s a quick status update on some of the projects you might see as you’re moving around Bellingham. The new sidewalk at Lincoln and Maple is complete! Unfortunately, due to supply chain challenges, parts for the new traffic signal are delayed, so construction in the intersection will not wrap up until early Spring. For the Westside Nonmotorized Projects, progress continues on the new pedestrian crossings. Most of the concrete work is done and we are working to install flashing pedestrian signals. We hope to see striping for the bike lanes on Eldridge complete as soon as we have favorable weather conditions, hopefully in early 2024. The work around W. Illinois Street and Parkview Elementary school will continue into the new year. Expect reduced access to the school during winter break while some construction is completed when it will have less impact on pick up and drop off.
New Greenways property: The City recently purchased a 5.7-acre undeveloped parcel of land near East Bakerview Road and James Street. Purchased with Greenways Funds, the property provides an important connection point for the trail corridor that will connect the future East Bakerview Park and King/Queen Mountain Open Space. It also opens up public access to Baker Creek and protects the wetlands and creekside habitat at the meeting point of Baker Creek and James Street Creek. You can see plans for this priority Greenways action area in Map 5 (pg. 19) of the current Greenways Strategic Plan.
