Happy 120th Birthday, Fairhaven Branch Library!
The Fairhaven Branch of the Bellingham Public Library turns 120 on Dec. 20, 2024. Located at 1117 12th Street, the building was financed by a grant of $12,500 from Andrew Carnegie and built in 1904 on land donated by C.X. Larabee. When constructed, the library was heralded in The Reveille newspaper as a “magnificent monument to culture and education.” Over the decades, the library has been renovated many times, yet it remains an important thread in the fabric of the Fairhaven neighborhood. Through Jan. 15, 2025, the Bellingham Central Library is featuring a display of historic photos and memories for the Fairhaven Branch Library 120th Anniversary. The display is curated by Whatcom Museum Photo Archives Research Technician Jeff Jewell.
Council considering parking reforms
The Bellingham City Council is considering an interim ordinance that would eliminate minimum parking requirements. Presenting this interim ordinance for Council consideration is part of Mayor Kim Lund’s recent executive order, which directs City staff to take immediate steps to address our community’s urgent need for more housing. The interim ordinance would eliminate requirements that dictate the number of parking spots property owners and developers must provide, and instead, would allow them to provide parking as they deem necessary. Property not taken up with parking spaces could then be used for other purposes, such as housing. As an interim measure, the ordinance would provide immediate relief to some projects and allow time to collect community feedback and prepare final parking regulations for future Council consideration. Council will first consider the draft interim ordinance on Dec. 16, 2024, followed by further discussion and a public hearing scheduled for Jan. 13, 2025. See the draft ordinance and more details on the Dec. 16 Committee of the Whole agenda and visit our Parking Reforms webpage to learn more about why parking reforms are needed.
Locking mailboxes required for rentals
An ordinance requiring locking mailboxes for rentals will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025. During scheduled inspections of rental units, our Rental Safety Inspectors will check to see that the units have locking mailboxes. Beyond that, they will also check to ensure rental units have locking mailboxes if renters submit code enforcement requests. This requirement is designed to help reduce mail theft, support renters’ financial security, and protect them from identity theft. You can find additional details about these rules in the Bellingham Municipal Code. Property managers will soon receive letters with more information. Visit our website for additional information about this City Rental Ordinance.
More downtown art and events coming
Three downtown arts and activity projects were recently selected to receive a total of $250,000 in lodging tax funds, which are collected from overnight hotel stays. Children of the Setting Sun Productions will receive $160,000 to add a Coast Salish mural with animated lighting projection outside their new downtown location on Holly Street. Two unique events were also selected – one was proposed by Make.Shift Art Space, and the other is a collaboration between Bellingham Symphony Orchestra and Pickford Film Center. Visit our webpage to learn more about the projects and the funding program.
BPD emphasis patrols net 23 arrests
Bellingham Police Department (BPD) officers collaborated with loss prevention officers at the Fred Meyer on West Bakerview Road to conduct two emphasis patrols focused on retail theft. During the emphasis patrols on Dec. 5 and Dec. 10, BPD officers arrested 23 people. While many of the cases began with observed thefts, some of the arrests and subsequent searches resulted in more serious charges. BPD officers identified several people with felony warrants, seized 63 grams of methamphetamine from a single person, and found a realistic-looking airsoft pistol.
Reach out for help
The holiday season can be hard. You can connect with a trained crisis counselor 24/7 by calling or texting 988 or visiting wa998.org if you or a loved one is experiencing thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance abuse crises, or emotional distress. If you need help with utility assistance, food, housing, health, child care, after school programs, elder care, or crisis intervention, dial 211 to reach a referral specialist who will assess your needs and connect you with local resources.
