New additions at Cordata Park: Mayor Lund and several City leaders celebrated the completion of Cordata Park Phase 2 improvements last week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the beautiful new pavilion, just one of the many new park features. The covered outdoor stage, picnic shelter, basketball courts, pickleball, links to nearby trails … we can’t decide what we like best! Have you checked out all the new amenities yet? Visit cob.org/project/cordata-community-park to learn more.
Affordable housing on the Waterfront: The first phase of the Whatcom Community Foundation’s Millworks project, located near the pump track on Bellingham’s waterfront, is now leasing. Developed by Mercy Housing Northwest, the first Millworks building includes 83 permanently affordable homes serving households below 30 – 60 percent of the area median income, with 20 percent of units designated for families without permanent housing. Additionally, it includes a YMCA childcare center with spots for 100 children. The City invested $4.89 million in American Rescue Plan Act and local housing funds, and was honored to partner with Mercy Housing Northwest, the Whatcom Community Foundation, the Port of Bellingham and many others on the project. You can learn about the second phase of Millworks, which includes a food campus designed to strengthen the local food economy, on the project website.
Speaking of housing: Even with the additional housing popping up throughout the city, demand for housing continues to outpace production. In large part, this is because countywide population growth is increasing at a higher rate than predicted in the 2016 Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan. Here are some key stats about growth for the April 2016 – April 2023 time period:
- From April 2016 – April 2023, the Whatcom County population increased by 3,300 per year on average, 9 percent more people than planned.
- Bellingham is accommodating a larger share of that growth. The County’s comp plan expected Bellingham’s population to grow by 1,350 people per year, but the actual growth has been 1,619 people each year.
- In Bellingham alone, 5,169 new housing units were completed – that’s 54 percent of all housing units built countywide.
Housing in Bellingham has been built at higher densities than was planned to accommodate housing needs, support the environment, and make efficient use of our limited supply of buildable land. And support for more housing continues: projects like the upcoming development in Old Town are great examples. The City and County will invest $5 million to support eight blocks of commercial, residential, and mixed-use development in the neighborhood over 10 years. Old Town Village, LLC, the private development entity, has plans to construct at least 500 new residential units in this development over the next year. Permitting is underway for the first 84 units to be located at the corner of D Street and Holly Street. As our community continues to see higher rates of population growth, we’re working on solutions like this one to meet the need.
Community input on Urban Forest Plan: Help shape Bellingham’s future! We are excited to announce that our draft Urban Forest Plan is now available for your review. This draft includes all the feedback our community has shared with us so far. Bellingham community members can share their thoughts at virtual or in-person input sessions and in an online survey through May 15. Your input will help us finalize Bellingham’s first-ever Urban Forest Plan, which will guide how our community protects and enhances the trees and forests in Bellingham.
Community tree programs: Get a head start on growing our urban forest with our new community tree planting programs, including tree coupons, tree giveaways, neighborhood grants, and more. By increasing our tree canopy cover, we’re not just planting trees, but investing in a greener, healthier Bellingham. Learn more on our Community Tree Programs page.
Responding to statewide drought declaration: If you have heard about the statewide drought declaration, you might be wondering how that impacts us here in Bellingham. Well, the good news is that Lake Whatcom is not fed directly by snowpack, so our drinking water supply is not affected by the current mountain conditions that led to the statewide declaration. Our reservoir level is healthy; however, we recognize the challenges many Washington communities face. And there are important reasons to conserve water in Bellingham, too. Let’s be mindful of water use everywhere. Learn about our water conservation programs to help find ways to conserve.
It’s in the mail: Look for the spring 2024 issue of Inside Bellingham in your mailbox. Our printed newsletter is delivered to every residential mailbox in the City as an avenue for providing all community members with information about City priorities, projects, and activities. If you miss it in the mail, a PDF version of the newsletter is posted on the City website as well.
Improving public spaces
Woburn night paving: Heads up, Bellingham! We’re in the home stretch of the Woburn Street sewer project, and next up is repaving. (We know, we know, you’re ready for this part to be over!) Because detours are a must, we’ll be doing the work at night to minimize traffic headaches during your commute. Expect detours for about 6-10 nights (weather permitting) starting April 22nd. The repaving zones are Woburn from Texas Street to Barkley Boulevard and near the intersection of Fraser Street, and Yew Street between Carolina and Texas Streets. Thanks for your patience as we wrap up this important project to upgrade our aging sewer system.
