Elected officials visit Olympia at start of 2026 legislative session
Mayor Kim Lund, Council Member Michael Lilliquist, and Council Member Jace Cotton traveled to Olympia to meet with state legislators about Bellingham priorities on Thursday, Jan. 15. City elected officials and staff members, along with the City’s contract lobbying team, actively engage in the state legislative process, advocating for funding and policy needs at the state level.
The City is pursuing legislative actions to increase housing access, address vacant buildings and properties, fund capital needs, and meet other priorities that benefit our community. You can read about the City’s priorities on the State government relations webpage.
New sculpture on view at the Pacific Street Operations Center
Artist Clayton Binkley’s new sculpture, “Between the Ocean and the Sky,” is now on view at the City of Bellingham’s new Pacific Street Operations Center lobby. You can watch the installation process and hear from Binkley in our latest video. The sculpture, the newest addition to the City of Bellingham’s public art collection, was completed in November 2025. It was funded by the City’s One Percent for Art program, in which one percent of eligible City capital project costs are set aside to integrate artwork into City projects with the goal of increasing public art and supporting the creative economy. Learn more about the One Percent for Art program and the new sculpture on our website.
In case you missed it!
Repairs for Squalicum Pier…
The Parks and Recreation team completed repairs to the trail and pier abutment in record time, allowing us to reopen the pier well ahead of schedule and in time for the sunny weekend weather. The pier abutment sustained damage from high tides during December’s storms. In total, crews placed 160 tons of mixed rock material to stabilize the shoreline, which will protect the pier for many years.
…and the Derby Pond Bridge
Speaking of our fantastic Parks team, they also recently completed a repair of the Derby Pond Bridge in Whatcom Falls Park. They replaced old decking and re-secured the railing’s chain link siding to the deck. The trail approaches on both ends were also resurfaced with new gravel. Next up, the team will install new steel gangways to provide permanent and safe transitions from the trail to the bridge. Check out before and after pictures on our Parks Facebook page.
Martin Luther King Jr. community events
Thanks to everyone who joined us and the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association last weekend at the Day of Service Community Work Party! We gathered at our Willow Spring restoration site in Squalicum Creek Park to plant trees and shrubs, remove invasive vegetation, and spread mulch — all to improve the park for people and wildlife.
Along with many community partners, we also gathered for a community celebration on Monday where we enjoyed speakers, workshops, and hands-on community service projects. You can check out a highlight reel from Western Washington University.
Lightcatcher Alley gets a prismatic new installation
Earlier this month, a new 3D mural by Sparks Designs and the Femme Metal Collective was installed in Lightcatcher Alley at the Whatcom Museum. The installation, “Nocturnal Lanterns,” is made up of hand-cut lanterns that are illuminated from within, casting prismatic shadows and light while honoring the nocturnal animals of the Cascadia bioregion.
