The Lower Padden Creek subbasin covers about 1,200 acres and includes a mix of land uses—multi-family housing near I-5 and Western Washington University (WWU), and single-family homes in the Happy Valley neighborhood. Currently, stormwater from this area flows through City-owned outfalls into Padden Creek, which eventually drains into Bellingham Bay. One of the largest drainage areas in the subbasin is nearly 500 acres and discharges to a single outfall. Most of the stormwater runoff from roads, rooftops, and other hard surfaces in this area is not treated before entering the creek. This runoff contains pollutants like metals and tire wear particles, which are harmful to fish species such as salmon and steelhead. Padden Creek is listed on Washington State’s 303(d) list of impaired waters due to issues with fecal coliform bacteria, low dissolved oxygen, and high temperatures. It also has a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirement for temperature, meaning steps must be taken to reduce heat pollution in the water.

This project is currently only funded through 90% Design. For the 90% Design phase, the total funding available is $223,989 between an Ecology grant ($190,391) and a 15% City match from the stormwater fund. The contract for RH2 Engineering is $141,628.

Western Washington University Archives

Lower Padden Creek Water Quality Improvements

Project Overview The City has received a design grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology to help improve water quality in the lower Padden Creek watershed. This project will redirect stormwater runoff from a 1,000-foot section of Bill McDonald Parkway, which currently flows untreated into Padden Creek. Instead, the runoff will be routed to ... Read more

2025 City-wide Non-motorized Improvements

Project Overview The 2025 City-wide Non-Motorized Improvements Project (ES572) will add and improve bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in many spot locations throughout Bellingham. Currently, the project design scope includes improvements in the locations shown below. Construction at these locations depends on final costs and it’s possible that some of the locations will not be constructed under ... Read more

25th Street Pedestrian Improvements between Bill McDonald Parkway and Sehome Arboretum

Project Overview This project will include pedestrian improvements between Bill McDonald Parkway and Sehome Arboretum on 25th Street in conjunction with the House of Healing being built by Western Washington University (WWU). Project Status 2024 The City of Bellingham and WWU have entered into an interlocal agreement that includes the City providing WWU with $600,000 ... Read more

Sehome Hill Communications Tower Replacement

Replacement of the communications tower located in the Sehome Hill Arboretum.

2020 Overlay – Bill McDonald and Britton Road

Project Overview: ES-0554 This project is an overlay of Bill McDonald Parkway from 20th Street to Samish way and Britton Road from Northshore to the City limits, with the purpose of improving road driving surface and ADA access. Funded by Street and Transportation Benefit District. Project Status – February 2021 Accomplishments: Project complete. Next Milestone: Close out project. ... Read more

Annual Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project

Project Overview: EU-0178 Annual program for replacement and rehabilitation of sanitary sewer mains and manholes via open-trench and trenchless methods. This project will rehabilitate or replace sewer mains and manholes which are deteriorated or have reached the end of their service life. The program also includes elements to reduce or eliminate stormwater inflow and groundwater infiltration ... Read more