Kids learn business skills: Bellingham Public Library offers two opportunities for the public to support young entrepreneurs and marvel at the talents of our local youth this summer. The annual Children’s Craft Fairs will be held on Friday, July 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Downtown Bellingham’s Lee Memorial Park next to the Central Library, and on Friday, Aug. 16, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the interior halls of Bellis Fair Mall. More than 100 children ages 13 and under are spending their summer months creatively crafting, growing and baking items to sell. Shoppers will enjoy a wide array of handmade creations. Bring cash. All items are priced at $5 or less and sales are cash only, to help kids learn to count money. Everyone is welcome to attend and shop.
Construction begins on next phase of Pacific Street Operations Center: Phase 2 of the Pacific Street Operations Center (PSOC) construction began this week, with crews clearing the construction site, demolishing the old vehicle bays, and preparing the site for future construction. PSOC is the home of the City’s Public Works department and the Parks and Recreation maintenance division. Phase 2 of PSOC will include a new public entrance with a new administrative building, new vehicle barn, additional meeting spaces and offices, and improved existing spaces. The sidewalks along the west side of Pacific Street are currently closed, and parking around the site is limited. If you’re visiting us at PSOC, look for signs for our temporary public entrance off Carolina Street.
Feedback opportunity for emergency landmark tree ordinance: In case you missed it, people can now receive significant fines for cutting down healthy trees that are 36 inches in diameter (at breast height), or other landmark trees. This is part of an emergency landmark tree ordinance enacted by Bellingham City Council on May 20, 2024. You can provide feedback on the emergency ordinance during a public hearing scheduled during the Monday, July 15 regular City Council meeting or provide a written comment ahead of the hearing. Council meeting details, including public hearing instructions, are available at meetings.cob.org. Look for future opportunities to comment on a more permanent, non-emergency version of the ordinance, which must go through a public review process with the Planning Commission and City Council before being enacted. Nominate a tree or grove of trees for consideration for the landmark tree inventory, report suspected violations, and learn more on our Landmark Tree Protection webpage.
Final Bellingham Plan open house: If you haven’t been able to provide feedback during a Bellingham Plan open house, it’s not too late. Join us Wednesday, July 17 at Squalicum High School for our How We Will Grow open house. As we update the Bellingham Plan, we must choose how to balance immediate concerns, such as public safety and housing affordability, with long-term goals, such as developing regional transportation options and adapting to climate change. Stop by to tell us how you think we should plan for Bellingham’s future.
Help conserve our drinking water supply: You may have noticed our Voluntary Summer Watering Signs popping up around town. During the dry summer months, we ask our community to help conserve water and follow a reduced outdoor watering schedule for lawns and landscapes. While we are not experiencing a drought like other communities in Washington, it’s still important to conserve our drinking water supply. Even-numbered addresses: water only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Odd-numbered addresses: water only on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Don’t water on Mondays to allow the system to recharge. Better yet, let your lawn go dormant in the summer – the grass will grow back in the fall! Bellingham water customers can also take our water conservation pledge or visit us at the Farmer’s Market this weekend to learn more about saving water and get some FREE outdoor water conservation tools. Learn more at cob.org/conserve.
