City Operations Buildings

Project Overview: EF-133 and EF-141

Projects EF-133 and EF-141 fill a need for new permanent buildings at the City Operations site on Pacific Street. As the Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments continue to grow, finding space for employees and equipment has become a challenge. The projects were constructed together by one contractor. The new buildings are energy efficient and built to LEED standards.

Video of new buildings posted on February 8, 2023.

Project EF-133 is the construction of a five-story Operations Center building at the City Operations site on Pacific Street. This project will bring together the Public Works and Parks and Recreation Operations teams in one building, creating efficiencies in physical location, operations yard layout, communication, and asset consolidation. These changes will increase both departments’ ability to continue to deliver excellent service to the Bellingham community. The floors have been designed to support the following:

  • Floor 1: Large meeting rooms with capacity for more than 100 attendees, with ability to televise City meetings
  • Floor 2: Locker room and lunchroom for City Operations field crews
  • Floor 3: Public Works Operations group
  • Floor 4: Parks Operations group
  • Floor 5: Public Works Natural Resources Group
Developed concept of 5-story Operations Center building by RMC Architects
Artistic rendering of new building.

Project EF-141 demolished the existing vehicle barn on the south side of the site and replace it with a new Operations Barn. The previous building was in use since Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) moved from the site over 20 years ago. The building was no longer viable to house the essential equipment needed to keep the city operating. The new building is up to code and provide a safe and secure location for the equipment from all groups.

The new Operations Barn will be an energy-efficient building that will provide:

  • Heated vehicle storage for temperature sensitive equipment such as the vactor trucks.
  • Workshop space for all the Public Works utility crews and Parks Operations and Natural Resources field staff.
  • Wood shop space to replace the Parks barn at Woburn Street facility.
  • Storage space for parts and supplies for all the operations activities.

Status – May 2023

The Pacific Street Operations Center Building and the Operations Barn are both fully constructed and operational. Phase II is scheduled to begin in early 2024.

Project Details

  • Status – Construction
  • Contract awarded – June 4, 2021
  • Contract amount – $20 million
  • Contractor – SpeeWest Construction
  • Open House – Dedication ceremony & tours held on Wednesday, March 1, 2023
  • Vicinity Map

Additional Information

On January 13, 2021, the City hosted a virtual informational open house to provide information about the project and answer questions. You can view a recording of the meeting.

Contact

​Mike Olinger, Assistant Director of Public Works
Phone: (360) 778-7725
Email: molinger@cob.org​

Participating Departments

Affected Neighborhoods