This project included minor renovations of the existing pier structure at Little Squalicum Park for public use.
The City acquired a portion of the pier through a donation from the Lehigh Hanson/Heidelberg Cement Group.
The pier was originally constructed in 1912 by the Olympic Portland Cement Company and was designed to carry railcars that delivered processed cement products to barges moored offshore. Operations ceased c.a. 1987.
This project was located adjacent to Little Squalicum Park in north Bellingham. The site is accessed from the park trailhead located at 640 Marine Drive, Bellingham. The City owns portions of the park and manages other adjoining properties in the park through a lease from Whatcom County.
Redevelopment of this industrial structure provides an unprecedented open water experience on Bellingham Bay, including 1,248 linear feet of public access over the water. More access to our waterfront, both physical and visual, has long been a desire of the people of Bellingham. This one-of-a-kind project is included in the City’s Comprehensive plan, State Shoreline Master Program, and the City Council approved Little Squalicum Master Plan.
The purpose of this project was to renovate the pier to provide safety and ADA improvements for immediate public access. The current scope of work for this project included design, permitting, and construction of minor maintenance improvements only. Work included construction of wood guardrails, fibergrate decking, and solar/wind powered lighting. The solar and wind powered lighting are the first off-grid power project for the City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department!
Additional improvements may be phased over time as funding becomes available, which may include bulkhead replacement, pile encapsulation, redundant pile removal, and/or deck replacement and other covering options. Continued negotiations with state and federal entities will be required to ensure the protection of this historic resource.
This phase of the project was reviewed on behalf of the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) under provisions of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and 36 CFR Part 800. The state concurred that the pier (known as the “Olympic Portland Cement Company Pier and Pipeline Trestle”) is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
Under the United States Army Corps of Engineers review, and in its consultation with the Tribes, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was negotiated and signed in 2020, and reiterates the importance of retaining portions of the structure. The negotiations included agreeing to remove the outer sections of the pier and preservation of the inner section of the structure. The MOU also included a requirement for interpretive signage to be designed and coordinated by Heidelberg Cement.
Additional work may be required in the coming years to negotiate, design, permit and fund improvements to the pier that could enhance the environment while also satisfying the state and federal requirements to preserve the existing structure.
The minor modifications that were completed (lighting, handrail, and decking) provide immediate public access while negotiations continue for future improvements. The phase 1 work generally keeps the structure intact and is ultimately reversible and modifiable if any future improvements move forward. These immediate improvements facilitate continued use and appreciation of this historic resource but also would not structurally prolong the design life of the structure.
Funding
$1,600,000 in Greenways Levy Funds were allocated for this initial phase of work in the City budget. Other funding for additional improvements to the park and pier may come from state grants.
Status
Little Squalicum Pier opened to the public in April 2025, providing community members unprecedented access to Bellingham Bay.
Reference
Affected Neighborhoods
- Birchwood Neighborhood
- Columbia Neighborhood
- Waterfront District
