Inside Bellingham: June 6, 2025

Immersive experience galleries, downtown mural, educational forest tours, transportation plan feedback: A news roundup from the City of Bellingham

June 06, 2025 - by City of Bellingham Communications Team

Experience immersive galleries for free today! 

Want to be transported to an alternate reality without leaving town? Check out the four immersive experience galleries downtown for free today (June 6)! The galleries are part of an effort to bring more beauty and activity to our community through our Downtown Activation and Beautification Program by enlivening currently vacant storefronts. The galleries are temporary – see them while they’re here! See a video of the galleries and learn more about them and Downtown Activation and Beautification Program. You can find hours of operation and additional project details on the Paper Whale website

Speaking of the Downtown Activation and Beautification program … 

Have you noticed the new “it starts in the heart 💗” mural along Magnolia Avenue downtown, on the wall of the former Rite Aid building? It was created by community members riding tricycles with paint covered wheels during Bike to Work and School Day on May 16. This project is also part of the Downtown Activation and Beautification Program, and you can see photos of the mural and its creation on our website

Feedback welcome on annual transportation improvement plan 

Share your feedback on the draft 2026-2031 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) at the Bellingham City Council meeting on Monday, June 9. This annual process offers community members a key opportunity to help shape the future of Bellingham’s transportation network. The TIP is more than a planning document – it’s a main tool for securing local, state, and federal funding for transportation projects. It outlines planned investments in a safe, connected, and multimodal system that serves people of all ages and abilities. This system includes roadway repairs and enhancements to pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure. Your feedback helps prioritize projects and improve our chances of securing funding for future transportation improvements.  

Join us for an educational forest tour 

Want to learn about forests in the Lake Whatcom watershed that are managed by Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham? Join the County, City, and our technical expert team for a free educational tour on June 18 or July 16. Get a closer look at the forested lands we manage and learn what future actions we may take to protect water quality and forest health. These tours are part of our effort to develop the first-ever Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan. Participation is limited, so please register in advance. Can’t join us for a tour? No problem! We will be sharing a video that covers the same topics. Learn about the plan and register for a tour on our project page.   


Media Contact

Melissa Morin
Communications and Community Relations Director
City of Bellingham
mmmorin@cob.org or (360) 778-8100