Good news for fish and trail lovers
The section of the Interurban Trail closed for our Padden Creek Fish Passage Project is now open. The project added two new fish-friendly culverts that are fully passable for salmon, trout, and other species — and salmon have already been spotted upstream! The trail also got some upgrades, including resurfacing, new railings, and fresh topsoil, mulch, and native plants. While enjoying the trail, you may see crews working on a few finishing touches. Please stay on the trail (pets, too!) to protect young plants and prevent erosion. Want a closer look? Join us for a guided tour at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 25.
Speaking of salmon, explore the Salish Sea at the Library
Take a trip under the sea — right inside the Bellingham Public Library! Join us for the Salish Dome Experience, an immersive, 360-degree projection of the web of life in the Salish Sea. You’ll get to explore salmon in their native habitat and learn how to protect this important species.
This special event is part of the Library’s salmon education theme and is presented in partnership with the Friends of the San Juans, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, and the City of Bellingham Public Works.
Event details:
- Thursday, March 5, at the Bellingham Central Library
- 2:30-3:30 p.m. – for kids ages 5-11
- 3:45-5:30 p.m. – all ages
- Children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult
City leaders to address encampment questions at King Mountain Neighborhood meeting
Mayor Lund and her team will visit the King Mountain neighborhood next week to answer questions and share updates about encampment activity in the area. Join us on Wednesday, March 4, 6–7:30 p.m.at the Bellingham Covenant Church on E. Bakerview Rd. This opportunity to meet is co-hosted by the King Mountain Neighborhood Association.
You can learn more about the many actions we’re taking to address encampments with diligence and compassion by visiting the Resolving Unauthorized Encampments webpages. We continue to prioritize public health and safety for everyone impacted by encampment activities. We also focus on long-term solutions, including expanding behavioral health support, opioid treatment options, and tiny home village capacity.
Join us for an open house on a new Meridian-Birchwood roundabout
Anyone who travels this corridor knows these intersections can be frustrating, particularly during peak travel times. We’re planning improvements at Meridian Street, Squalicum Parkway, and Birchwood Avenue that will replace the two signalized intersections with a single multimodal roundabout. The goal is to improve safety, reduce congestion and make it easier for people driving, biking and walking to move through this busy stretch.
Want to see what it will look like and ask questions? Join us for an interactive open house on Wednesday, March 4, from 6–7:30 p.m. at Parkview Elementary School. Can’t make it in person? Visit our Meridian-Birchwood Engage Bellingham Page to explore the plans and take the survey. Your feedback will help us create a safer, more comfortable corridor for everyone.
Affordable senior housing project gets a $1 million boost
A Bellingham affordable senior housing project was recently awarded a $1 million grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP). The City of Bellingham teamed up with Opportunity Council to secure the grant. The funds will be used to support development of Cedar Commons — an Opportunity Council project near Bellis Fair Mall that includes more than 129 new affordable apartments and an early learning center.
The project previously received nearly $1.2 million in CHIP funding. The whole project is estimated to cost $64.8 million. Of that, the City is investing $10.1 million to support the project, including the CHIP funds.
