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Downtown is a part of our city’s social and cultural heart, part of what makes our whole city thrive. As part of continuing efforts to support downtown, we are funding projects that bring joy to the community in small, everyday experiences, and in new, innovative ways. These projects can include artwork, interactive exhibits, events, and other features on sidewalks, plazas, parks and other highly visible spaces.
Selection Process and Funding Availability
Projects are selected through a competitive application process. We released the first call for applications, called a Request for Proposals (RFP), in May 2024. The first round of selected projects was announced in July 2024. For the first round of projects, $350,000 was allocated to support select projects – $250,000 from lodging tax funds and $100,000 from general funds.
An additional $250,000 will also be available each year for more projects in 2025 and 2026. We will release another RFP in October 2024 to solicit projects for 2025.
2024 Downtown Activation and Beautification Projects
Seven projects were selected for 2024. You can see the project concepts here. The project designs are not final, but sample photos are included to give you a sense of the project.
- One Spark – Immersive Experiences in Vacant Spaces ($60,000)
- One Spark –Activation of Four Downtown Alleys ($100,000)
- One Spark – Lakeway Underpass Mural ($90,000)
- One Spark – Lee Memorial Park Staircase Murals ($40,000)
- Find Billy – Series of Five Whimsical Sculptures ($37,300)
- Whatcom Museum – Old Fire Station Mural ($9,000)
- Trike Trak – Interactive Tricycle Artwork and Display ($11,000)
RFP Details
While 2024 grantees have been selected and we aren’t currently accepting applications, another request for proposals will open fall 2024.
Downtown Placemaking Area
Downtowns define cities. They are the heart of community connection, tourism, culture and economic activity. Impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, rapidly increasing housing prices, and opioid addiction have strained the community, resulting in an increased need for social services and economic support, particularly in downtown. In addition to a suite of actions to address community safety and well-being, the City has invested significant resources to promote a beautiful and lively downtown, including this request for proposals.
Funding is restricted to projects or programs on public streets, sidewalks, plazas, parks and properties or activities or events within private buildings or properties within the downtown district shown in the map below. Projects outside of this boundary may be considered if they have a strong connection or influence on downtown activation. See Figure 3-1 for the location of public opportunity sites.
NOTE: Funding may not be used for permanent improvements to private property.
Figure 3-1: Opportunity Sites on Public Property
NOTE: Other streets, sidewalks, parks and public properties are also eligible for consideration.
Goals and Objectives
- Enhance aesthetic appeal, district identity and “Instagram-worthy” opportunities.
- Create a more enjoyable experience for pedestrians (“surprise and delight”) to encourage exploration, longer stays and increased foot traffic.
- Activate public streets, sidewalks, plazas, and parks to promote use of underutilized spaces, foster community connections and a sense of belonging, and showcase local talent and cultural diversity.
- Attract visitors and create new and memorable experiences to enhance the City’s brand as a tourism destination and boost revenue and economic growth.
- Encourage connections between downtown and surrounding areas (waterfront, Old Town and residential neighborhoods).
- Foster engagement of downtown stakeholders and community members to improve the experience of joy, sense of safety, and pride and interest in the downtown neighborhood.
Desired Proposals
- Add beauty and aesthetic appeal to the pedestrian experience: street art, murals, landscaping, lighting, signage, public art, or other interactive opportunities.
- Activate public and vacant spaces: block parties, busking, classes, performances, games, festivals or markets featuring local food/drink, music, interactive/performance/visual art or cultural events, particularly those that engage or highlight underrepresented groups or appeal to diverse audiences.
- Attract and retain visitors: build-on or complement other tourism-related events and/or local tourism assets.
- Make connections: pathways, artwork, signs, wayfinding, interactive challenges or activities to draw people from surrounding neighborhoods into downtown.
- Foster community engagement: entice businesses, cultural institutions and/or organizations to create new offerings in the public realm, invite community co-creation of artwork or experiences, interactive activities or creative input.
Available funds for 2024:
- $250,000 in lodging tax funds for projects and programs with regional tourism impact
- $100,000 in general funds for activation and beautification projects
Proposals may request any amount of funding within these limits. Funding may be used for project development and design, materials, fabrication, marketing/promotion, installation, service or artist fees and/or insurance. Final funding decisions will be based on rankings and recommendations of the review teams.
Successful proponents will enter into a Services Agreement or other similar contract with the City of Bellingham.
Funding will be provided on a reimbursement basis for work performed or costs incurred. The project Proponent is responsible for fronting all costs associated with the work.
Applicants may request multi-year funding, which will be considered depending on the nature of the proposal. In addition, a separate RFP for projects or programs occurring in 2025 will be issued October 2024.
To be considered for funding, the proponent must meet the following criteria:
- Experience designing and implementing projects and/or programs;
- Ability to provide or secure the expertise, supplies, materials, equipment, staffing and all other aspects necessary to carry out the project or program;
- Ability to provide proof of insurance and endorsement listing the City as additional insured, showing the insurance as primary and non-contributory and waiving subrogation for the duration of the project. Coverage shall include but is not limited to:
- Workers Compensation Statutory Amount
- Automobile Liability $1,000,000
- Broad Form Comprehensive Liability $1,000,000/occurrence $2,000,000 aggregate
Submission Timeline
Proposals must be submitted electronically via PDF to Taylor Webb, Development Specialist: tkwebb@cob.org before noon on June 7, 2024.
A second RFP will be issued in October 2024 for projects occurring in late 2024 or 2025.
Presubmittal Resources
Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to:
Darby Galligan, Senior Planner
Planning and Community Development Department
dgalligan@cob.org / (360) 778-8389
Permit Requirements
Projects and programming in the public right-of-way may require a Special Event permit or Temporary Right of Way Use permit. Visit the City of Bellingham website for additional information:
- Special Event Permit – City of Bellingham (cob.org)
- Commercial Right-of-Way (ROW) Use Permits Guide (cob.org)
Information Sessions for Project Proponents
The City will host two question and answer sessions for proponents who would like assistance with proposal feasibility prior to the submittal deadline. Both sessions will be held in the Permit Center on the main floor of City Hall.
- Session 1: May 16, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Session 2: May 20, 2024 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
These sessions are optional, but attendance is highly encouraged for proposals on City properties or within the public right-of-way. Consultation will be provided in 15-minute increments on a first-come first-served basis.
Evaluation Criteria
| Evaluation Criteria | Weight |
| How well does the project achieve the goals and objectives of the RFP? | 20 |
| What is the aesthetic and/or artistic quality and appropriateness of the project to the location (including support from surrounding stakeholders)? | 20 |
| Does the project team have demonstrated experience & expertise with implementing projects? | 20 |
| What will be the positive impact(s) on downtown, including visibility, duration, anticipated number of participants and intended audience? | 20 |
| Is the project feasible, including likelihood of approval, realistic fees /costs, completeness of budget and timeline? | 20 |
| Total | 100 points |
Evaluation Process
- Proposals will be vetted by an internal team of departmental experts to identify possible regulatory or procedural issues that may affect the feasibility of project implementation.
- A review committee composed of Bellingham/Whatcom County Tourism, Bellingham Tourism Commission, Downtown Stakeholder(s), City Planning and Community Development and Mayor’s Office staff will independently score each proposal and review scores collaboratively to develop funding recommendations to the Mayor. Oral interviews, additional questions or information may be requested at this stage.
- The Mayor will assess the review committee recommendations and make any changes or adjustments for the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) to review.
- The LTAC will review and make a decision on the Mayor’s recommendations, which will be presented to the City Council for final approval.
Submission Timeline
Proposals were due by noon on June 7, 2024, and are no longer being accepted. Another round of funding will open Fall 2024.
Submittal Requirements
View the RFP pdf to access the required Proposal Cover sheet and additional resources. Proposals may not exceed 10 single-sided pages (excluding the cover sheet and budget).
To receive full consideration, proposals must include each of the following elements:
- Proposal Cover Sheet.
- Project or Program Description.
- Location (include address, maps or photos if necessary).
- Detailed project description.
- Proponent team. List the names of the people responsible for implementing the project or program, with a summary of their qualifications and experience and their primary duties/role.
- List of steps to implement the project or program, with timelines and responsible person.
- Inspirational or example images that illustrate the final project or program (optional)
- Letters of support (optional)
- Project Evaluation. Explain which goals and objectives from Section II will be achieved by the project or program. How will the proposal bring visitors downtown, lead them to linger downtown, or build local tourism resources? How will it activate and/or beautify downtown?
- Detailed Budget. Provide a list of all revenues and expenses required to implement the project. Include estimated costs and anticipated vendor(s). Indicate which items are proposed to be paid with grant funds. List the total program cost and the total amount of grant funding being requested. You can find a Sample Budget Form here.
