Learn about salmon and watch them grow!
The chum salmon eggs have hatched and transformed into alevin at Bellingham Central Library! Watch the Library’s salmon livestream or stop by in-person to see if you can spot their wiggly tails. The Library will present Salmon Storytimes for Kids on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 10:30 a.m. for ages 3 to 5 and 2 p.m. for ages 6 to 10. A special program about fish passage restoration in Bellingham takes place on Wed., Mar. 26 at the Central Library, presented by City of Bellingham Environmental Coordinator Sara Brooke Benjamin.
Land purchase paves the way for a new trail connection
On Monday, Feb. 10, Bellingham City Council approved the purchase of 66 acres of undeveloped land on Samish Crest, using $4 million in Greenways funds. Located in the City’s Urban Growth Area reserve near south Yew Street, the property connects City-owned open spaces on North Samish Crest and South Samish Crest, opening up the opportunity to fulfill a long-standing goal of establishing a north-south multimodal trail connection between Whatcom Falls Park and Lake Padden Park. Acquiring the land also supports goals related to protecting Lake Padden water quality, preserving tree canopy and contiguous open space, and protecting wildlife habitat. More detailed planning for a trail connection and wayfinding through Samish Crest open space will begin in 2026. The sale is expected to close on March 7.
City to look at possible sites for solar array
The City received $165,000 from the Washington State Department of Commerce to study 29 City-owned sites for their potential to host a 1 megawatt community solar installation, which could benefit low-income residents. With community solar installations, people subscribe to arrays instead of installing them on roofs, and a 1 megawatt solar array would produce enough electricity to power around 100 homes per year. The study will also help the City apply for grants that would fund the construction of a future community solar installation.
Improving public spaces
We’re making progress on some important infrastructure projects around town! The Meador Avenue bridge over Whatcom Creek recently re-opened, and the James Street bridge is closed again until early summer. While the Meador Street bridge is open to traffic, there is a temporary pedestrian path in place that is clearly delineated and protected from vehicle traffic. This will be in place for a short period of time until weather allows for placing the permanent sidewalk, likely by the end of February.
Works continues on the Meridian Sewer replacement project. Mid-next week, left turns will be temporarily restricted for about two weeks at the intersection of Meridian Street and East Bellis Fair Parkway in both the northbound and southbound lanes. Detours and signage will be in place directing traffic to either Bakerview or Telegraph Roads.
And heads up for the Eldridge Avenue Bridge— expect some lane closures next week while crews conduct geotechnical work in preparation for the bridge’s future replacement.
Thanks for your patience as we keep making improvements around town!
