Real experience: Over the past couple weeks, Bellingham Fire crews and academy recruits have been training at a house that was ready for demolition to gain real-life experience fighting house fires. In the photo above, crew members practice cutting holes in the roof. In a house fire, this is a technique used to release super-heated toxic gases and smoke by allowing it to take its natural traveling path, which is up. Thank you to Hammer Properties for allowing our team to use the house for this valuable training.
Thinking big about our future: We recently hosted the 2023 Bellingham Forum, focusing on the Cascadia Innovation Corridor and exciting opportunities for the future of our City and our region. The gathering of elected and community leaders featured as keynote speaker the Honorable Christine Gregoire, former Washington State Governor, co-chair of the Cascadia Innovation Corridor, and CEO of Challenge Seattle. She was followed by a panel of regional experts discussing housing, transportation, economic development and related topics to spur and accelerate action locally. The Cascadia Innovation Corridor is a cross-border initiative that connects the peoples of Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia in a spirit of common endeavor — connecting business, academic, and government leaders through cross-border partnership. This unique event was hosted by the City with partner organizations Challenge Seattle, ULI Northwest and the Port of Bellingham. Learn more by viewing the event video, produced by BTV.
ICYMI – City news in your mailbox: The Fall 2023 issue of Inside Bellingham recently arrived in mailboxes across the City. This issue highlights our focused efforts on downtown public health and safety, our work to protect our drinking water supply, and our steps to create a walkable, bikeable, accessible city. Find it posted on the Inside Bellingham newsletter page if you missed it in the mail.
Speaking of downtown: In response to concerns about public safety in downtown, we have overseen a multi-million-dollar series of efforts over the last two years, including security personnel and safety ambassadors, resuming police foot patrols downtown, extensive cleaning services, focused action on trouble spots, graffiti removal, and other ongoing efforts. These initiatives are in conjunction with regional and national efforts to address substance use, homelessness, and behavioral health needs. Presentations to the Bellingham City Council on October 16 provided overviews of downtown concerns and City and partner responses to those needs, including highlights of the City’s Downtown Safety Strategy. See more on the October 16 Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity Committee meeting page, including video of the presentations.
Overview of opioid crisis: Our community continues to come together to address the growing fentanyl and meth use crisis. The City Council’s October 16 Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity Committee also hosted Whatcom County Health and Community Services and All Hands Whatcom representatives who provided updates about this crisis and what is being done locally to address it. The City continues to be one of many active key partners in these efforts. These presentations also available on video.
By the numbers
Downtown clean-up by the tons: So far in 2023, City staff have removed approximately 21,440 pounds – or 10.72 tons – of waste from downtown Bellingham sidewalks, alleyways and streets. That’s about the weight of an adult Tyrannosaurus Rex! And that doesn’t even include all of the waste picked up by our street sweeper vehicles that clean downtown streets each week. Removing this waste supports creating a safe, welcoming downtown and prevents it from becoming pollution that enters our creeks, lakes and Bellingham Bay, where it can harm aquatic creatures (like orcas!). Learn more about downtown clean-up efforts on our Downtown District page.
