The Downtown Connections Plan will be our shared roadmap for improving Downtown Bellingham’s street environment, covering the entire streetscape from roads, sidewalks, bike routes, alleys, transit stops, and gathering spaces. Together, these elements create the spaces where people move, gather, and experience downtown.
Through this project, we’ll study how people get around today, identify what should change, and determine how to implement improvements. Once the process ramps up, we’ll provide numerous opportunities for community members to provide input so your ideas shape the plan. This initiative will culminate in a report that identifies key priorities for the downtown transportation network. Anticipated outcomes include detailed funding and implementation strategies for up to six priority projects that emerge from the plan.
Project status – Fall 2026
The City of Bellingham has launched the Downtown Connections planning process to guide projects designed to stimulate economic activity, fill vacant storefronts, and create a safer, more vibrant downtown for everyone. A consultant has been selected to assist the city with this effort.
To kick off the project, we’re hosting initial focus groups with key institutions and groups with a direct interest in downtown. Over the fall and winter, we will begin hosting public events around town to talk about the process and launch a survey on EngageBellingham to gather your ideas for better getting around and getting together downtown.
We are in the process of identifying dates, times, and locations, so sign up for our monthly Public Works Newsletter to stay up to date on opportunities to meet in person or weigh in online. We’ll update this webpage as the project advances to share what we hear and how it shapes the draft plan.
Background
The Downtown Connections Plan is a direct result of Mayor Lund’s vision for downtown revitalization. Through this project, we aim to develop a community-focused and engineering-driven plan, rooted in identified needs and objectives rather than predetermined outcomes. We will work with residents, businesses, visitors, community organizations, and local agencies to develop a shared vision for how people move to, through, and around Downtown Bellingham. With community feedback at the forefront, we’ll pick projects that are good candidates for grants, help local businesses, make travel easier, create better public spaces, and connect downtown.
Why this plan matters
As downtown continues to evolve, we have an opportunity to look at how all parts of the street environment (roads, sidewalks, transit facilities, bike routes, curb space, parking, and gathering areas) can work together to support people and generate activity. The Downtown Connections Plan will help identify improvements that:
- Improve safety for people walking, rolling, biking, driving, and taking transit
- Support local businesses and economic activity
- Make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to get around
- Create vibrant streetscapes and gathering spaces that feel welcoming
- Improve connections between neighborhoods, destinations, and transportation options
- Put the City in a strong position to win grants
Vicinity Map
The study area covers downtown, bordered by the Waterfront Development Area, Central Avenue, N State Street, and Chestnut Street, with arrows extending to make connections outside downtown. It includes corridors such as Chestnut Street, Holly Street, Magnolia Street, and Champion Street, as well as Bay Street, Commercial Street, Railroad Avenue, and N State Street.
Timeline
- Fall 2026:
- Project kickoff
- Begin community engagement
- Host focus groups with community groups and partners
- Winter – Spring 2027:
- Study how downtown works today
- Continue community conversations
- Develop and evaluate project ideas
- Summer – Fall 2027:
- Draft recommendations and priority projects
- Share draft plan with community and invite public review
- Late 2027:
- Finalize the plan and seek adoption from City Council
- Identify opportunities to begin implementing priority projects
Ways to share your voice
Community participation is essential to the success of this plan. Throughout the project, there will be multiple opportunities to share ideas, provide feedback, and help shape recommendations. Engagement opportunities are expected to include:
- Online engagement activities
- Community pop-up events and in-person feedback sessions
- Focus groups
- Project updates through our Public Works Newsletter, project website, and social media
Contacts
General project questions: AskPW@cob.org
Media inquiries: pwmedia@cob.org
Project Manager
Tim Hohmann, Public Works Assistant Director – Transportation
Email: tthohmann@cob.org
