Join a Saturday Community Work Party
The Saturday, Jan. 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Work Party in Squalicum Park is one of the many upcoming Saturday Community Work Parties facilitated by the City of Bellingham’s Parks Volunteer Program. People of all ages and abilities are welcome, but those under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. We provide tools, gloves, and instructions. You just need to dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots. If you have questions or need accessibility or language accommodations, contact us at pkvolunteers@cob.org or (360) 778-7137. As a reminder, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, please join us at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18 for United We Stand: Where Justice, Love and Freedom Prevail.
Bellingham is a fan zone for FIFA World Cup 2026™
Bellingham has been selected as one of nine cities in Washington state designated as “fan zones” by the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026 organizing committee, allowing us to host community watch parties for the six matches that will be played in Seattle. Our community will receive some state and federal funding to support security needs and small business readiness, along with fan activations and spin-off events to celebrate the spirit of the games. In addition to watch parties, you can expect other opportunities to join in the excitement. We’re using this moment to grow economic opportunities for local businesses, spur legacy projects that will benefit our community, and showcase our city. To learn more, read our announcement.
Owners commit to resolving encampments
Owners of private properties on West Bakerview Road and Northwest Avenue hired crews to clean up encampments on their properties and committed to security plans to prevent recurrences. Led by and paid for by property owners, cleanup activities are now underway with more expected next week. For the past month, City leaders coordinated with outreach providers to offer encampment occupants access to shelter and other services. We took action to work with property owners because of escalating public health and safety issues and growing criminal activity in and near this location in recent months, urging them to take action or face enforcement. Similar emphasis is underway with owners of properties on West Maplewood Avenue, where encampment activities are increasing. Find more information about our approach on our Resolving Encampments webpage.
didgʷálič Wellness Center to offer services in Bellingham
didgʷálič Wellness Center (dWC) and Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) have collaborated to bring dWC’s whole-person opioid treatment program to local residents. Bellingham City Council Member Dan Hammill helped facilitate this partnership. The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community founded dWC with the vision that a compassionate and effective response to the opioid crisis requires working together to serve everyone in our region. In Bellingham, dWC’s mobile medical units (MMUs) will dispense life-saving medications, such as methadone and buprenorphine, to those with opioid use disorder. This new low-barrier option will help reduce the number of opioid overdoses and help people sustain recovery. The MMUs will travel from Anacortes to Bellingham six days a week and will be located at Whatcom County’s Behavioral Health Campus on Division Street. At the site, dWC will provide addiction counselors, service navigators, peer counselors, and security. The program will start in the first quarter of 2025.
Whatcom County’s Severe Weather Shelter open
The Whatcom County-run Severe Weather Shelter at 925 N. Forest Street in Bellingham will open overnight today through Wednesday, Jan. 22. Additional openings will be dependent on weather, staffing and supply deliveries. Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) operates the shelter is preparing to support people formerly living in encampments as part of this extended shelter opening. For additional information, visit the WCHCS winter shelters webpage.
What’s new for streateries?
Bellingham “streateries” – outdoor dining areas in on-street parking spaces – gained traction during the pandemic when we saw them pop up throughout downtown and Fairhaven. We recently refined our streateries program to help support them into the future while balancing other community needs. On Jan. 13, Bellingham City Council approved an increase in use fees and learned about improvements to design guidelines, along with safety and accessibility requirements. You can learn more on the Outdoor Dining Structures webpage.
