BPD welcomes new officers: Officers Brearley, Shepherd, Roe, and Williams were sworn into service and took their Oath of Honor this week. They recently graduated from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy. Officer Williams is a lateral hire from the Auburn Police Department. Please wish them well in their field training and help us welcome them to the Bellingham Police Department!
Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration Oct. 14: We invite you to join us as we celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, at the Lummi Nation School, 2334 Lummi View Dr., Bellingham. The event will include a community dinner, artists, vendors, and speakers. The Blackhawk Singers will perform, as well. The program centers the leadership and knowledge Indigenous people bring forward to address today’s pressing issues. Attendees will hear from powerful keynote speaker Ta’Kaiya Blaney, who is a singer, award-winning actress, speaker, and environmental activist from the Tla A’min Nation in British Columbia. Youth leaders from Lummi Nation School will also share in a panel discussion. This event is free and open to all.
Property purchase for future affordable housing: At their Sept. 30 meeting, the Bellingham City Council approved using $1.26 million in housing levy and affordable housing sales tax funds to purchase property at 3250 Northwest Avenue for future affordable housing. The property is currently owned by North Coast Credit Union (NCCU), and closing will not occur immediately. The branch will remain open for several months to aid in a smooth transition for NCCU’s members and employees. To learn more about plans for future affordable housing, tune in to a Oct. 7 City Council presentation about low- and moderate-income housing development projects. Visit our website for information about affordable housing projects we’ve recently supported.
Tiny home village project moving forward: Another property purchased by the City in April at 3300 Northwest Avenue (next door to the newly purchased property) is slated to be the site of a new tiny home village operated by HomesNOW! Appeals to the permit for the tiny home village were dropped when the City purchased NCCU’s property, and planning and construction for the new village, called North Haven, can now continue. We anticipate that North Haven will be ready for move-in by spring 2025. Visit our website to learn more about North Haven.
Improving Public Spaces
Some project updates: Ongoing work on Public Works projects continues around town. Holly Street is set to open a second lane between Commercial and Bay, with repainting happening soon to reinstall a right turn lane. Restriping on both the Elwood and 32nd Improvement Project and the Samish overpass should wrap up in the next few weeks. Telegraph is also nearing completion and should be substantially done within a month. Over around West Illinois/ Meridian, crews are installing new crossings with flashing beacons and finalizing some work on the roundabout. Work should be complete by the end of the year. Work also continues on the new Roeder Street lift station, with some daytime impacts to traffic in the area. Thank you for your understanding as we work to enhance our community.
Improving fish habitat: We’re excited to announce that water is now flowing through a newly constructed section of stream channel in Padden Creek, part of a multi-phased restoration project near 24th Street and Old Fairhaven Parkway. This project improves water quality and creates a healthier habitat for fish by moving part of the stream from a straightened channel into a brand-new one, featuring pools and large woody debris – perfect places for fish to hide and rest. We still have some work to complete outside of the water, so a section of sidewalk on Old Fairhaven Parkway remains temporarily closed with a detour in place. In the fall and winter, we will also replant the stream banks with native plants to further benefit the ecosystem. For more Public Works news, check out our monthly Inside Public Works newsletter!
