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Downtown is the heart of our community and a huge part of what makes our whole city thrive. In our continuing efforts to support downtown, we have funded projects that bring joy and beauty to the community in small, everyday experiences, and in new, innovative ways. These projects include artwork, interactive exhibits, events, and other features on sidewalks, plazas, parks and other highly visible spaces.
Selected Projects
Through a competitive application process, 21 projects were selected to receive funding to bring their innovative ideas to life in downtown Bellingham. They are being funded by $715,000 in lodging tax revenue (from overnight hotel stays) and $100,800 in general funds. You can learn about them and track their progress below.
Projects selected for phase 3
Project selections have occurred in three separate phases. In this section, you will see the most recent projects selected in January 2026.
Bellingham Blooms
Timeline: April-November 2026
Location: throughout downtown
About: Using locally-grown flowers, this series of installations and activities includes storefront window displays, floral arches, artwork, workshops and collaborations with existing seasonal events.
Procession of the Species
Timeline: May 2, 2026
Location: Workshops at Maritime Heritage Park. Parade from Lee Memorial Park to Maritime Heritage Park.
About: Two community workshops in April will help participants craft their animal costume. On May 2, participants will gather at Lee Memorial Lawn and parade to a celebration at Maritime Heritage Park, including booths, live music, circus performances and other entertainment and activities.
Bay Street Outdoor Cinema
Timeline: Three Fridays: July 31, August 14 and August 28, 2026
Location: Bay Street, outside of Pickford Cinema at 1318 Bay
About: Three free outdoor family-friendly movies, including a collaboration with Bellingham Symphony Orchestra on August 28 that pairs classic film shorts from the silent era with live music. The events include trivia, prizes, food, drinks, and music.
Sunset Alley Lighting
Timeline: Summer 2026
Location: Sunset Alley, between Commercial & Bay and Chestnut & Magnolia Streets.
About: Installation of overhead lighting in this “art alley” will improve nighttime visibility and ambiance, strengthening the alley’s role as a signature art destination. See “Sunset Alley”, below.
Hello Lamppost
Timeline: Spring 2026
Location: throughout downtown
About: The Downtown Bellingham Partnership has begun deploying Hello Lamppost, an interactive visitor experience that provides tailored information on downtown events, dining, arts, parks and exploration to encourage visitors to explore the area.
Projects completed during phases 1 and 2
Project selections have occurred in three separate phases. In this section, you will see projects selected during phases 1 and 2.
Nocturnal Lanterns
Photos by Sparks Designs
Timeline: Installation completed January 2026
Location: Alley-facing side of the Whatcom Museum Lightcatcher building at 250 Flora Street
About: Sparks Design worked with the Femme Metal Collective to create these illuminated stainless steel sculptural lanterns highlighting nocturnal animals of the Cascadia bioregion to brighten and beautify the adjacent alley. The project was funded by $54,000 in lodging tax funds.
Lakeway I-5 Underpass Mural
Timeline: Installation completed August 2025
Location: Lakeway I-5 underpass
About: Paper Whale contracted with artist team Worst Crew to install this mural with $90,000 in activation and beautification grant funds. The mural improves the primary gateway into downtown from the interstate. Learn more on the Paper Whale website.
Bike Polo in the Commercial Street Parking Garage
Location: Parking garage mezzanine at 1300 Commercial Street
About: The Bellingham Bike Polo proposed ongoing matches with a tournament October 31, 2025. To support this effort, the City purchased a storage unit for $5,000 that was installed onsite.
Silent Film + Music
Location: Bay Street
About: The Bellingham Symphony Orchestra and Pickford Film Center collaborated on a silent film with live music that occurred on Bay Street on August 22, 2025
Radio Forever Festival
Timeline: Free event on August 9, 2025
Location: Make.Shift Art Space at 306 Flora Street
About: Make.Shift proposed a free event featuring large art installations, vendors, and free musical performances celebrating all things community radio. Learn more about the event on the Make.Shift website. This project was selected to receive $50,000.
Railroad Parking Garage Mural
Timeline: Mural installed July 2025
Location: On the exterior wall of the parking garage at 1215 Railroad Avenue downtown
About: The City partnered with Paper Whale to install this mural by artist Nora Bruhn, who was selected as the People’s Choice winner during the 2024 Noisy Waters Mural Festival. The cost of the mural was $15,000 from the City’s general fund.
Find Billy Sculptures and Scavenger Hunt
Timeline: Installation June 2025
Location: Various downtown locations
About: Uckiood proposed an experiential art installation comprising of four individual character (“Find Billy”) sculptures. The project was selected to receive $37,300. The project also included a scavenger hunt.
Sunset Alley Activation
Timeline: Installation began May 2025; An Opening Celebration was held October 15, 2025
Location: Alley between Bay/Commercial and Magnolia/Chestnut
About: There were two proposals to transform alleys downtown:
- Paper Whale proposed transforming a two-block alley in downtown Bellingham into a vibrant space for creative placemaking and cultural community engagement with colorful, dynamic artwork. They were awarded $100,000 to install works by 12 independent artists. More information is available on the Paper Whale website.
- Children of the Setting Sun proposed installing a Coast Salish living mural outside their new downtown location. They were awarded $160,000. Installation of the artwork will be completed October 2025 and the lighted projection animation will be completed in 2026.
Trike Track Community Mural Creation
Timeline: Community event to create the trike mural on May 16, 2025, during bike to work and school day events
Location: Mural is installed on the former Rite Aid building at 1400 Cornwall Avenue
About: Orlosky Studio proposed engaging the community to create a mural with paint-covered trike wheels. The project was selected to receive $11,000. Community members were invited to ride the trikes to help make the mural as part of Bike to Work and School week, and then the mural was installed downtown.
>> Watch the creation of the trike mural in this video.
Procession of the Species Parade and Event
Timeline: Parade and events May 3, 2025
Location: Parade began at the library lawn and ended at Maritime Heritage Park, where there was live art, music, and more
About: Gabriel’s Art Kids proposed bringing back the Procession of the Species parade and post-parade activities. The project was selected to receive $11,000.
Immersive Experience Galleries in Vacant Spaces
Timeline: Galleries opened in May 2025
Locations: 1015 N. State St. (two galleries at this address), 1329 N. State St., 215 Prospect St.
About: Paper Whale proposed installing temporary multisensory, immersive experience galleries in vacant spaces. The project was selected to receive $60,000. At launch, there were four galleries in all, each created by a different artist asked to transform the empty spaces into an alternate reality. Galleries only last as long as spaces remain vacant. Learn about the immersive galleries on the Paper Whale website.
Window Art in Vacant Spaces
Timeline: Installation completed June 2025
Locations: 1015 N. State, 1155 N. State, 1324 N. State, 1324 Commercial, 215 Prospect, 114 Holly, 1215 Railroad Avenue
About: Paper Whale proposed installing art in the windows of vacant spaces downtown. The project was selected to receive $50,000. Seven window installations displaying custom art created by WWU design students.
Whatcom Museum Historical and Wayfinding Mural
Timeline: Installation completed August 2024
Location: 121 Prospect Street
About: Whatcom Museum proposed installing a mural on the Old Fire Station No. 1 building at 201 Prospect Street. The project was selected to receive $9,000. The mural serves as a wayfinding tool, inviting downtown visitors to explore Maritime Heritage Park and the waterfront. It features historical photographs that can only be found within the walls of the building’s renowned photo archive collection.
