Neighborhood grants: We are now accepting applications for 2024 Small and Simple Grants, a program that provides funding for neighborhood-led projects that make positive neighborhood improvements, encourage community engagement, and demonstrate City-wide benefit. Proposals received by the May 31 deadline that meet grant requirements will be considered. Applications must be submitted by identified neighborhood representatives. Projects should focus on one or more of the following categories that support City and community priorities: Communications and Connections, Neighborhood Signs, and Tree Planting. More details at Small and Simple Grant Program.
Speaking of neighborhoods: Bellingham’s downtown is everyone’s neighborhood! Join us for the Downtown Bellingham Partnership’s semi-annual neighborhood meeting, 5:30 – 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 8, at the Boundary Bay Brewery Outdoor Beer Garden. This meeting is open to anyone interested in the vitality of our downtown and will feature Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund and others. Community members are encouraged to attend and engage in shaping the future of our vibrant downtown neighborhood.
Holly Street bike lanes: New bike lanes are here on Holly Street! After lots of community input, data collection, and planning, we finally installed the new bike lanes through a critical downtown connector. Along with this project, we also changed the timing of the pedestrian lights at intersections to get walkers and bikers into the intersection first, making them more visible to cars. We know traffic was a little snarled this week during the installation of the bike lanes, but it should normalize now that the construction is done and drivers adjust. This is a big change for a busy road, so we are collecting data throughout the summer before we make any final design decisions about the pilot project. This includes hearing from the community about how everything is working, so visit Engage Bellingham to tell us what you think!
And speaking of bikes … Join the Bellingham Bike Parade! Kick off Bike Month this weekend with the Bellingham Bike Parade! Join the fun on Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m. Meet on Jersey Street between E. Holly and E. Chestnut for a ride down Holly Street to Waypoint Park. Rain or shine, all ages are welcome to participate! Bike decorations and festive costumes encouraged. Remember to wear your helmet and follow the rules of the road. This event is brought to you by WTA, Smart Trips, Downtown Bellingham Partnership, and the City of Bellingham.
Are you a landlord with rental inspection questions? Join staff from our rental safety inspection program and representatives from the Bellingham Housing Authority on May 7 at 2 p.m. to learn more about what we look for during safety inspections. You can find the event Zoom link on Western Washington University’s Off Campus Living website (while the event is listed on a WWU website, it is open to all landlords, not just those who rent to students).
Seeking community input
Bellingham Plan events this month: The Bellingham Plan addresses important topics, such as housing, transportation, and climate resilience, and will guide development, capital investments, city programs, and other actions for the next 20 years. Join us for one of three open houses scheduled this month to tell us your thoughts on how to plan for Bellingham’s future. Follow the links to learn more about the topics planned at each meeting:
- May 6 – Student Open House at WWU
- May 15 – Economic Vitality Community Open House
- May 23 – Bellingham Plan Open House in Spanish / 23 de mayo – El Evento de Puertas Abiertas del Plan Bellingham en Español
James and Meador Street bridge replacement open house: We are starting work to replace the bridges at Meador Ave and James St. next week. Join us on Monday, May 6, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Bellingham High School Auditorium for an open house where you can learn about the project and what the local traffic impacts will be. Find more information about this project on the James and Meador Street Bridge Replacement project page.
Urban Forest Plan engagement continues: Thanks to everyone who has provided input on Bellingham’s draft Urban Forest Plan so far! There are still more opportunities to engage. Join us on Wednesday, May 8 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. for a virtual input session to learn more about the Plan and provide input or take our online survey through May 15. We will include all of the input received through May 15 in an engagement summary that will be shared with our community and City Council; however, you can continue to provide comments on the draft Plan after May 15 via email at ufmp@cob.org.
