Port Commission Receives Proposal for The Waterfront District
(June 10, 2008) The Port Commission received a clear set of recommendations from staff and consultants on key redevelopment decisions needed for a Preferred Alternative which could be fully evaluated by the Port, the City and the community in a supplemental to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The view the powerpoint presentation, click here.
At this same Port Commission meeting, the Commission received a 106 report that provides the details of the redevelopment Proposal with information about parks and trails, environmental issues, roads and bridges, sustainable development strategies, project costs and more. Because of the large file size, the full Proposal has been broken into its chapters, which should allow for easier viewing and downloading of the PDFs. Just click on a chapter heading below.
The Proposal - June 10
Executive Summary
Introduction
Vision
Environmental Considerations
Sustainable Strategies
Land Use Section 1 Land Use Section 2
Transportation Section 1 Transportation Section 2
Parks, Trails & Habitat
Utilities
Cost Estimates
Conclusions
Port Commission Updated on Waterfront Master Planning
(May 8, 2008) The Port Commission received a master planning update on roads and infrastructure, development phasing, sustainable strategies and the convergence of big ideas. To view the consultant's presentation, click here.
Port Presents Waterfront Update at City Club
(April 18, 2008)This Wednesday (April 23), the Port of Bellingham will update people about The Waterfront District, the Bellingham Airport and Blaine waterfront redevelopment at the City Club monthly meeting at noon, at Northwood Hall, 3240 Northwest Avenue. The program is open to the public. Lunch costs $10 for members and $15 for non-members. For more information about City Club, click here.
Port Moves Forward on Master Planning
(April 18) In their meeting this week, the Port's Board of Commissioners unanimously supported work continuing on development of a draft Master Plan. The goal is to have a draft plan completed in June so that it can be used for a proposal for a preferred alternative in a final Environmental Impact Statement for this 20-30 year project. An additional 30-day public comment period will occur this summer. To view the full update on progress on The Waterfront District project, click here.
Western Washington University Proposes Development Structure
(April 18) University President Karen Morse told the Port's Board of Commissioners about Western's proposal that a not-for-profit development entity be created for Western's waterfront redevelopment projects. It would be governed by a board and would buy or lease land for Western and would solicit private developers to construct the facilities. To view President Morse's full presentation, click here.
Public Comments on Draft Environmental Impact Statement Available
The public comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for The Waterfront District Project ended on March 10, 2008. The EIS is being designed to test the impacts of a change in zoning and land use in the waterfront area from industrial to a mix of business, commercial, residential and light industrial uses to support the community's vision. The change would also allow new opportunities for public parks and access to restored marine shorelines. During the public comment period, the Port held two public hearings and received dozens of written comments through the mail and email.
Click here to read all comments received during the public comment period
Click here for oral testimony received at two public hearings on February 20, 2008
Now the Port's State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Official Andrew Maron, an attorney with Short, Cressman & Burgess in Seattle, the Port's EIS consulting firm, Blumen and Associates will prepare a summary of oral and written comments provided by private citizens, public agencies, and tribes on the draft EIS and prepare a response to these comments.
Click here for more information on the DEIS.
Port Invites Community to View The Waterfront District Models & Information
(Feb. 4, 2008) In response to growing public interest, the Port of Bellingham opened a public information area with the latest draft planning concepts for The Waterfront District today. This information area is in the Harbor Center Conference Room, 1801 Roeder Avenue, and will be open during regular business hours (8 a.m.- 5 p.m.). Staff will be available during weekday lunch hours (noon - 1p.m.) to answer people's questions about the redevelopment project.
This information area will remain open and will be updated during the Master Planning process. If you have questions or want to arrange a group tour or viewing of the information, contact Communications Manager Carolyn Casey at
Here are images of the two road grid concepts presented on Feb. 1.
Waterfront Group Works on New Planning Concepts Feb. 1
(Jan. 21) A planning group that includes all of the Waterfront Advisory Group members and representatives from the port, city and Western Washington University will meet from 1 to 4 p.m., Friday, Feb.1, at the Squalicum Boathouse. This public planning session will be a time for the group of stakeholders to discuss new planning concepts for The Waterfront District based upon information and findings in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and on recent planning work regarding transportation, parks and public spaces.
Public comment will not be taken at this meeting, but there will be multiple upcoming meetings that will include public comment and participation.
The Concept Planning Meeting will be filmed and aired on BTV10.
Here are the display boards from the meeting grouped by topic area. All are PDFs.
Redevelopment Site Overview
Waterfront Futures Group Vision
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Road Grid Concept A & B
Road Sequencing
Understanding Elevations
Community Questions & Next Steps
Sustainability
Waterfront Advisory Group to Meet Feb. 6
(Jan. 21)The Waterfront Advisory Group (WAG) will meet on Feb. 6 to discuss information that they have heard about the Draft Environmental Impact Statement(DEIS), master planning process and other items. All WAG meetings are open to the public and include a public comment period. A location will be announced later this week.
WAG members met last week and heard detailed presentations about some of the findings from the environmental study, how those findings are influencing the future master plan, the path toward adoption of a master plan for The Waterfront District and about how the concept of Triple Bottom Line may be used in the creation of development regulations.
The powerpoint presentations from that meeting and the handouts are available here. The meeting was filmed and will be aired on BTV10.
Sustainability Handout 1
Sustainability Handout 2
Sustainability Handout 3
Jan. 15 Port Powerpoint Presentation on DEIS
Timeline for Public Comment on Environmental Study Extended
(Jan. 14) The Port of Bellingham announced today that the public comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for The Waterfront District project will be extended to March 10, 2008. This allows for a 60-day comment period on the draft study, rather than the state-mandated 30-day period. Both the Port and the City, as well as some members of the public, had requested that the Port's designated State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Official Andrew Maron extend the comment period because of the length and complexity of the document.
Because of the extended comment time, the Port also rescheduled the public hearings on the DEIS. The hearings now will be on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008, from 1-4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to closing at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, 355 Harris Avenue.
Click Here for more information and links to the complete DEIS document and to get comment information.
Waterfront Advisory Group Meets Jan. 15
(Jan. 14) This week the community and the Waterfront Advisory Group will learn more about the waterfront redevelopment Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and the upcoming Master Plan.
The advisory group's public meeting will be from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. It will begin with a brief public comment time, which will be followed by a presentation about the 1,300 page environmental study that was published last week. Mike Stoner, the port's environmental director, will explain the role of the DEIS in the planning process, outline some of the key findings and explain how people can comment on the document.
There will be a formal public hearing on the DEIS on Jan. 31. For information about how to comment on the DEIS or to view the full document, click here.
Demolition and Transition Changes Waterfront
(Jan. 7) When the transfer of Georgia Pacific's Bellingham waterfront property to the port took place in January 2005, the agreement described in detail how and when the physical transition of the property was to take place.
Early in 2008, the Port Commission will consider a transition agreement that outlines these phases and quantifies the costs the port will experience when it takes over operations of the property's utilities and security in June 2008. The port's 2008 budget dedicates funding for these new costs.
Since January 2005:
- GP demolished 13 buildings, 15 structures and 8 million-gallon tanks
- The port demolished 4 buildings, 3 structures and the overwater salt conveyor
- 80 percent of re-useable machinery and equipment was removed and sent to other GP facilities or sold to other companies for reuse worldwide. Recycled quantities include:
- 1,800 tons of scrap metal
- 50,000 board feet of timbers
- 1,200 railroad ties
- 4,000 tons of asphalt crushed for reuse
- 17,000 tons concrete crushed for reuse
- 4,000 tons of non-recyclable demolition debris hauled to approved landfills
Looking toward the future, both the port and GP have specific responsibilities.
For GP these include:
- Closing the Tissue Warehouse after depleting finished tissue inventory
- Removing equipment from the Tissue Mill to relocate it to other plants or to sell it during first quarter of 2008
- Demolishing the remaining Tissue Mill buildings and structures during 2008
In 2008 the Port will:
- Take over maintenance and operation of the site beginning July 1
- Disconnect the raw water supply to site and stop the Encogen water cooling system from the site
- Work with Puget Sound Energy to bring new electricity to supply the site
- Engineer and manage additional budgeted port demolition on the site.
Get NOAA Community Update Wednesday, Nov. 28
The Port of Bellingham is hosting a community update on our expanding efforts to "Get NOAA" to relocate its Pacific Research Fleet to Bellingham. This important update will be from 4-5 p.m., Wednesday, at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal, 629 Cornwall Avenue. Please arrive early with photo identification, which will be required at the security gate.
Port and City Approve Agreement for Next Phase
In November, the Port of Bellingham's Board of Commissioners and the Bellingham City Council both approved the Fifth Supplemental Agreement to share certain costs in planning for the redevelopment of The Waterfront District site.
The latest agreement deals with the cost sharing for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the development. The EIS is being developed by Blumen Consulting. Following the public review, the document will undergo final changes and will be released as a completed report by March.
Port and Northwest Discovery Project Sign Agreement
At the beginning of November, the port and the Northwest Discovery Project signed a Letter of Intent outlining the preliminary deal points of a future real estate transaction in The Waterfront District for the planned TerrAquarium. This proposed transaction anticipates the non-profit group leasing two to four acres in a location to be determined after the completion of the entire redevelopment master plan in 2008.
Whatcom Waterway Designation Gained in Veto Override
Earlier this month, when the US Senate and House voted overwhelmingly to override President George Bush's veto of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) the national headlines focused on the $23 billion of nationwide water projects.
The approved WRDA legislation changes the inland section of the Whatcom Waterway from a federal channel to a locally controlled channel. The outer portion of the waterway, near the deep draft shipping terminal remains a federal channel.
The Port of Bellingham and the City of Bellingham sought this change so that future uses of the waterway could be determined locally to meet local needs.
Some of the key features of the emerging plan for The Waterfront District include adding new docks and a pedestrian bridge as well as removing some of the steep shorelines and replacing them with soft banks and additional salmon habitat.
Wednesday, November 14th, Project Planning Meeting Rescheduled
A mid-November Waterfront Project concept review meeting to be hosted by the Waterfront design team to include the City of Bellingham, Port of Bellingham, Western Washington University and Waterfront Advisory Group has been delayed until mid-January. On December 12th, between 4:00PM and 6:00PM there will be a Waterfront Advisory Meeting to review the status on the project. The meeting location and Agenda for this meeting will be posted later in November.
Ecology Issues Whatcom Waterway Cleanup Decision
On Sept. 17 the state Department of Ecology announced its Whatcom Waterway cleanup decision. The Consent Decree to clean up Whatcom Waterway will be signed on Thursday, Sept. 20. This is a critical step in our cleanup and redevelopment of Bellingham's waterfront When completed, this $44 million cleanup will remove 530,000 cubic yards of contaminated material from Bellingham Bay and the waterfront area, will create two miles of enhanced near shore habitat and will transform a contaminated 37-acre industrial treatment lagoon into a Clean Ocean Marina with new salmon habitat and fish passageways.
Click Here for Port, City, DNR Press Release on Decision
Click Here for Invitation to Sept. 20 Signing Event
Click Here for Ecology Press Release on Decision
Click Here for Fact Sheet on Approved Whatcom Waterway Cleanup
Get NOAA Campaign Launches
Homeporting the NOAA's Pacific Marine Operations Center has been a community goal since the Waterfront Futures Group planning effort in 2003-04. Since then, the Port has been meeting with regional and national NOAA officials and our federal delegation to promote the relocation of this fleet of ships from Lake Union in Seattle to the deep-water terminal in Bellingham.
During the first week of September, the Port launched a community-based Get NOAA Campaign in a meeting with community leaders in the business, environmental, education and government sectors. These people came together to learn about the Get NOAA effort and to begin making plans to demonstrate community support for the fleet relocation. NOAA's lease agreement for its Lake Union facility expires in the next few years and in October the federal government is beginning an official site selection process. View Get NOAA Presentation
Port and City Approve Planning Cost Sharing Agreement
While work is underway on the environmental impact study for the entire waterfront redevelopment project, contracts were approved for the next phase of master planning. In August, the Port Commission and City Council had a joint meeting where they both approved an amendment to their original Interlocal Agreement approved in 2005. This is the fourth amendment to the agreement and it authorizes the Port and City to share the costs of master planning by Seattle firm Collins/Woerman, creation of development regulations by LMN Architects of Seattle and some expanded work on the environmental study by Blumen Consulting in Seattle. The original environmental study was expanded to include an analysis of some additional transportation and development alternatives. Click here for the Interlocal Agreement amendment.
Port and City Hear Demand Projections for Development
Also at their joint meeting in August, the commission and council heard an extensive report from Jim Hebert of Hebert Research about the local and regional demand for the types of land uses being envisioned at the waterfront redevelopment. The two governments paid for this research as part of their planning and analysis of this project. Click here to view the presentation.
Final Environmental Impact Statement Scoping Document Available
A final scoping document for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been issued outlining the waterfront redevelopment proposal and elements of the environment, such as transportation, land uses, view corridors and other issues that should be studied to determine the potential impacts of the proposal. In addition, a summary of oral and written comments provided by private citizens, public agencies, and tribes on the draft scoping document and the response to these comments is also available.
Click here for the Final Scoping Document of the EIS for the New Whatcom Redevelopment Project
Click here for a Summary of Comments to the Scope of the EIS and Responses by the SEPA Responsible Official
Click here for all written comments received to the Scope of the EIS
Click here for oral testimony received at a public hearing on April 25, 2007
Click here for oral testimony received at a public hearing on May 2, 2007
The EIS is analyzing a range of no-action (remain in industrial use), low density, medium density and high density development options for two time periods 2016 and 2026. The Port chose to not identify one of the alternatives as the preferred plan for the waterfront project because it wanted all of the density alternatives to be studied so that the environmental information could be used as a tool in making decisions for the master plan.
Although each density analysis forecasts acreage for parks or certain transportation improvements, the Port and City expect to "mix and match" elements from each of the alternatives in the final master plan, based upon information learned from the EIS.
Port Presents Comparison of Draft City Shoreline Regulations and Waterfront Futures Group Vision
At the June 20 Waterfront Advisory Group Meeting, Port Staff presented information about how the City of Bellingham's draft Shoreline Regulations would impact development and habitat creation at the former Georgia Pacific site. In July, the City Council will review two sets of recommendations. The first was created by City Planning and Environmental staff in conjunction with staff from the Port of Bellingham and the state Department of Ecology. The second alternative set of Shoreline Regulations was drafted by the City Planning Commission after reviewing the staff proposal and listening to public comments. The Port has expressed concerns that the Planning Commission version of the regulations would make it difficult to redevelop the site consistent with the Waterfront Futures Group community vision. To view the Port presentation, click here.
Three New People Appointed to Waterfront Advisory Group
On June 20 three new Port-appointed members joined the citizen-led Waterfront Advisory Group. The new members, who were appointed by the Port's Board of Commissioners, are Elizabeth Grant, manager of Stewart Title; Ken Oplinger, president of the Bellingham Whatcom Chamber of Commerce; and Drew Schmidt, owner of Victoria San Juan Cruises. All three will serve until 2010.
Port Prepares for Next Phase of Demolition
On Tuesday, June 5 the Port of Bellingham's Board of Commissioners approved a contract with Nuprecon LP to complete the next phase of demolition on the former Georgia Pacific Mill site. Since the Port acquired the site in January 2005, contractors working on behalf of the Port and Georgia Pacific have removed dozens of buildings, tanks and structures that will not be part of the redeveloped site. The first two years of demolition were paid for by Georgia Pacific as part of the purchase agreement with the Port. This next demolition phase, which will take place during the summer, involves removing all three of the warehouses on the wharves over the Whatcom Waterway because they are too dilapidated to restore. It also includes demolition of the chlorine cell house, where chlorine was manufactured for use in the pulp bleaching process. A heavily damaged two-story brick building, the Chip Screen Building, where chips were sorted before going to the digester, also will be demolished. The project cost is $411,000.
Environmental Scoping Comments End
May 11 marked the end of the public comment period for the scoping for the Port's Environmental Impact Statement for the waterfront redevelopment project. During the comment period, about 90 people provided written and verbal testimony. The EIS is being designed to test the impacts of a change in zoning and land use in the waterfront area from industrial to a mix of business, commercial, residential and light industrial uses to support the community's vision. The change would also allow new opportunities for public parks and access to restored marine shorelines. During the public comment period, the Port held two public hearings and received dozens of written comments through the mail and email. Now the Port's State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Official Andrew Maron, an attorney with Short, Cressman & Burgess in Seattle, the Port's EIS consulting firm, Blumen and Associates, and Port staff will finalize the scope of the EIS including the alternatives to be addressed based on the comments received during scoping. It is expected that a final scope for the EIS will be completed within the next few weeks. This information will be used to prepare a draft EIS which will likely be issued for public comment later this summer.
Public Hears Details on Alternatives Being Studied
On April 25, about 60 people attended the first EIS scoping public hearing and heard details about the range of alternatives being studied during the EIS process. The alternatives differ primarily by density of the development, how that affect traffic connections, building heights, the mix of jobs and housing and the amount of new public parks and trails along the development. The second scoping public hearing will be from 6-9 p.m., May 2, at the Bellingham Municipal Court Building, 2014 C Street. Click here for a copy of the powerpoint from the meeting
The Port of Bellingham does not have a preferred alternative and is studying a range of development options to better understand the impacts from the different alternatives. The final EIS likely will show a preferred alternative that mixes and matches various elements of several of the options studied. Twelve people testified at the hearing last week. Others have provided comments through emails. Right now, the Port and its State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) official Andrew Maron are collecting comments about what should be studied during the EIS - a stage called scoping. Once the scope of the EIS is determined, consultants will spend the summer analyzing such things as traffic, noise, shorelines and other impacts. In the fall a draft EIS will be available for public comment and review. There will be additional public hearings when the draft EIS is issued for review and comment. Both the Port of Bellingham and the City of Bellingham will use the final EIS as they make decisions on the master plan for this area. The full scoping document is available by scrolling further down this page.
Port Launches Environmental Impact Statement Process for Waterfront Project
The first step in the EIS process is called "scoping", which outlines the project proposal and the elements of the environment, such as transportation, land uses, view corridors and other issues that should be studied to determine the potential impacts of the proposal. Stoner took this action in his role as SEPA responsible official for the Port. However, his role will now change. The Port is assigning him to be part of the project management team for the waterfront redevelopment, and Andrew Maron has been appointed by the Commission to serve as the Alternate SEPA Official for the project. Maron will perform the official duties for the SEPA position, which will include conducting the upcoming scoping hearings, completing the scoping for the EIS, supervising the preparation of the draft EIS, conducting public hearings on the draft EIS and supervising the preparation of the final EIS. Maron is an attorney with Short, Cressman & Burgess in Seattle and has served as a city councilman and interim mayor for Bainbridge Island and on numerous other community boards. The Commission appointed Maron to this position to ensure that the Port's SEPA Official on this project is clearly independent of the project management team. Click here for a copy of the determination of significance and scoping announcement
Scoping Document Available Here
This extensive environmental analysis starts with the release of a "scoping document" that outlines the project and explains what will be studied during the environmental review. Click here for a fact sheet describing the EIS scoping process. The full scoping document that describes the alternatives being studied and shows maps illustrating those alternatives is available at the Port's AdministrativeOoffices, 1801 Roeder Avenue, during regular business hours. You also can access a PDF of the full scoping document by clicking on the links below.
New Whatcom Redevelopment Project EIS Draft Scoping Document (large file ~ 6MB) Note: the following sections have been separated for your convenience in downloading this document:
EIS Scoping Hearings April 25 and May 2
There will be two public hearings about the scoping for the environmental impact statement. At these hearings, people can comment about the probable significant adverse impacts of the alternatives being considered, mitigation measures that should be considered and permits or other approvals that may be required. These hearings will be from 6 - 9 p.m. on April 25 and at the same time on May 2 at the Bellingham Municipal Courthouse, 2014 C Street. The hearings will begin with a brief presentation about the process and the proposed redevelopment alternatives. This will be followed by a public scoping hearing. Both hearings will be rebroadcast on the city's BTV 10. In addition to commenting at those hearings, people also can email: or mail comments to: SEPA Responsible Official, Port of Bellingham, PO Box 1677, Bellingham, WA 98227-1677. All comments must be received by May 11, 2007, for consideration in the proposed scope of the EIS. There will be additional public hearings when the draft EIS is issued for review and comment. Both the Port of Bellingham and the City of Bellingham will use the final EIS as they make decisions on the master plan for this area.
A Waterfront Poised for Redevelopment -- Spring 2007 Update
Bellingham's community vision of a revived, vibrant waterfront is moving toward reality. With 228 acres of downtown waterfront property poised for redevelopment, Bellingham is about to embark on a project that will benefit the entire region. This spring the Port of Bellingham and City of Bellingham are working together to draft a long-range development plan that balances the community's desire for new family-wage jobs, new urban housing and improved public access to the waterfront. During the summer the Port and City will complete an environmental impact statement for the entire project and, based upon what is learned from the EIS, they will complete a master plan and development agreement. At the same time, the Port is gearing up to remove decades of contamination from Bellingham Bay and create about 30 acres of new marine habitat. This urban shoreline development will result in a restored shoreline environment with new nearshore salmon habitat. Click here to view a video presentation of "Bellingham's Waterfront 2007 and Beyond" (Windows Media Player). The state Department of Ecology is expected to make a final determination about the cleanup plan for the Whatcom Waterway and the contaminated lagoon later this spring. Once that decision is made, the Port can begin the engineering and permiting needed for the cleanup work to begin.
Ecology Identifies Preferred Cleanup Alternative for the Whatcom Waterway
On October 10, the Washington State Department of Ecology released draft cleanup documents (Supplemental Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study) that evaluate the cleanup of contaminated bottom sediments in the Whatcom Waterway. Ecology evaluates eight potential cleanup alternatives and identifies a preferred cleanup approach which is consistent with the Port and City’s anticipated land and water uses for New Whatcom.
Click here to learn more about the Whatcom Waterway cleanup site
Port Commission and City Council Vote to Support LIFT Financing, County Opts Out
On October 9, the Port Commission and City Council voted unanimously to take part in the state of Washington's first tax increment financing pilot project for the waterfront redevelopment. Under the new Local Infrastructure Financing Tool (LIFT), the City will issue bonds to pay a significant portion of the estimated $197 million in capital costs that could be needed for public services such as bridges, streets, parks and utilities in the waterfront redevelopment area. The City and the Port of Bellingham have agreed to commit 75 percent of their new property tax revenue in the redeveloped area to pay back the bonds. During the 25-year life of the tax increment financing plan, the City envisions contributing about $32 million in new property and sales taxes, and the Port estimates it would commit $3.4 million. A key benefit of the LIFT tool is the state matching funds up to a maximum of $1 million per year for 25 years. On October 10, the County Council voted to reject the City's request for it to participate in the LIFT funding effort. The lack of County involvement will reduce the amount of funding available to the project and will reduce the level of State matching revenues. To Learn More About LIFT
Whatcom County Superior Court Judge Ira Uhrig Rules that Healthy Bay Initiative Will Not Be on Ballot
On Sept. 18, Judge Ira Uhrig held a hearing to determine whether the Healthy Bay Initiative was appropriate to have on the November ballot. Attorneys for the City, Port and the Healthy Bay Initiative presented arguments. After hearing the legal arguments, Judge Uhrig ruled that the initiative was attempting to influence matters not subject to the citizen initiative power. He said that power is restricted to the creation of binding ordinances, but the initiative was more of a public poll to express public sentiment.
Click here for Judge Uhrig's ruling
City Files a Lawsuit Seeking Judgement on Healthy Bay Initiative
On August 14, the Bellingham City Council voted to initiate a lawsuit against People for a Healthy Bay and other Potentially Interested Parties. The Port of Bellingham is one of the parties listed in this lawsuit. The City's lawsuit claims that the Healthy Bay Initiative is "beyond the scope of initiative power" under the City's charter and State Law. The City is asking a judge to decide, prior to the election, whether the initiative is valid.
Here are the city's legal filings regarding this lawsuit.
City of Bellingham Legal Complaint Aug. 18, 2006
City of Bellingham Summons
Port Files Its Responses to City of Bellingham Litigation about Healthy Bay Initiative
Because the Port was named as a Potentially Interested Party in the City's lawsuit, the Port filed its responses on August 31. Below you can read the Port's legal responses that have been filed. It is anticipated that a judge will rule on this lawsuit in September.
Port of Bellingham Response Aug. 31, 2006
Port Environmental Director Mike Stoner's Declaration 1: Aug. 31, 2006
Port Environmental Director Mike Stoner's Declaration 2: Aug. 31, 2006
Port Commission Selects Historic GP Artifacts
In August, the Port Commission endorsed a staff recommendation about which items the port should preserve on the New Whatcom site for future historical interpretation. The Port’s Public Arts Advisory Committee recommended the port keep a few items to serve as historical icons. The first items -- the two tall ceramic cylindrical towers used by GP as high density pulp storage towers -- already belonged to the Port as part of the original site purchase. GP agreed to donate four other items that the committee recommended for preservation. These included the large drive motor and chipper wheel that was used in the Barking Plant to take huge logs and chip them into small pieces for the pulping process. GP also donated a large metal spherical acid accumulator that was used as a pressure relief area to relieve the digesters when the acid/chips and steam pressure rose. The final items GP agreed to donate to the Port were the Hooper screen that removed impurities from pulp and a rotating glass tube separation device used in the Board Mill for lignin testing. The log loader alongside the former log pond was the final item discussed. It now belongs to Northwest Recycling and was an item the recycling firm planned to sell as scrap metal. The Port and the company are negotiating a trade so that the Port can save this piece of equipment. The log pond area likely will be the site of a city park and it isn’t yet certain how or where the log loader would be used in the redeveloped site. Click on the link below to see images of the artifacts. http://www.portofbellingham.com/content/Gallery.php?Id=62&extra=_m
Public Comments on Creating Local Channel in Whatcom Waterway
On May 2, members of the community commented on whether the Port Commission should approve a resolution asking Congress to change the inland portion of the Whatcom Waterway from a federal shipping channel to a locally managed channel. This change would only apply to the inland portion and would preserve the deep draft federal channel for the outer portion alongside the Shipping Terminal and into Bellingham Bay. Darren Williams, president of the Longshoremen's Union ILWU Local 7, spoke in favor of the change as long as the Port actively pursues shipping opportunities and Shipping Terminal enhancments for the deep draft area. Before the comment period, the Port received letters of support for the change from NOAA and the city of Bellingham. Several community members expressed concern about the speed of the decision making process and asked that the decision be delayed until the Whatcom Waterway cleanup alternative is selected. The Commission is scheduled to consider voting on the channel resolution at its regular meeting at 3 p.m., May 16. The actual change of channel boundaries must be approved by Congress.
Click Here for the Presentation
Commission Hears Update on Whatcom Shipping Conditions
On May 2, Port staff presented information to the Port Commission about the regional maritime shipping market historically and at present date. The presentation explained the difference among Large Metropolitan Ports (Seattle, Tacoma, Portland and Vancouver, B.C.), Satellite Ports (Everett, Olympia, Fraser and Vancouver, Wash.) and Remote Ports ( a long list including Bellingham). Remote ports, such as Bellingham, have a more difficult time competing because they have limited railway and freeway access, are distant from large ports and don't have local product shipping demands. Click here for the complete presentation.
Western Washington University Presents Expansion Ideas
On April 19, the Port Commission invited Western President Dr. Karen Morse to presented WWU's ideas about expansion onto the New Whatcom site. Relocating all or a portion of Huxley College and tying the environmental focus of this college to the surrounding environmental issues of the site and of the community was a big focus of the presentation. Dr. Morse and the university’s consultant also talked about economic development centers, linkages with health care research and training and long-range development of a visual arts and performing arts center.
The Port Commissioners expressed strong support for Western’s expansion onto the site.
Click here to see Western's presentation.
Creating a Local Inner Channel
On April 19, the Port Commission had an extension of its regular meeting to hear a detailed staff presentation about an opportunity to remove the federal designation from the inland portion of the Whatcom Waterway. This change would allow for local control of the inland section of the waterway, making it easier to build visitor moorage, public access and new salmon habitat on the waterway. It would preserve the federal channel designation for the deep-draft shipping terminal in the outer portion of the waterway. This change would require Congressional action, if the Commission approves a resolution requesting such action. The Commission scheduled time for public comment on this resolution at the beginning of its next meeting, at 3 p.m., Tuesday, May 2. Click here for the presentation on the Whatcom Waterway. Both meetings were filmed and will air on the city’s BTV10 station. Go to www.cob.org to find out airing times.
Port and City Agree to Study Project Economics
On April 11, 2006, the Port and City agreed to delay selection of a preferred design for the waterfront master plan until both governments fully studied the economics of this project. That research is expected to be completed this fall and the results will be shared with the community. Here is a press release explaining the economic research plan. Also the Port and City sent a letter to the citizen Waterfront Advisory Group (WAG) about the economic research plan and asking them to meet in June to complete their recommendations from the preliminary master plan designs. At that meeting, WAG also will receive an update on the Port's Fairhaven Master Plan update and on the Millennium Trail project. Here is the letter sent to the Waterfront Advisory Group.
Marina Workshop Results in New Marina Design Ideas
The Port invited a diverse group of marina experts, environmentalists, habitat specialists and community representatives to come together for a day and develop ideas for the new marina that would blend moorage with habitat and public access. Click here to see the results of this workshop
New Downtown Marina Open House March 28
The Port of Bellingham’s Marina Advisory Committee hosted an open house about the planned new downtown marina on March 28 at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal in Fairhaven. This was a great opportunity for people to learn more about the new marina the Port of Bellingham will be constructing in the former Georgia Pacific treatment lagoon.
View the presentation boards and information here.
View the "Bellingham's Waterfront - Transforming a Contaminated Lagoon Into a Community Asset" brochure here.
View the "Whatcom Waterways Navigation Channel Visual" brochure here.
View the "Community Economic Benefits - New Downtown Clean Ocean Marina" report prepared for the Port of Bellingham by BST Associates here.
Site Design Concept Open Houses
Two public open houses will showcase four design concepts alternatives for the waterfront and will illustrate how public parks and trails, new habitat, road plans and development may take shape on the waterfront. The meetings are at 7p.m. January 24, at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal and at 7 p.m. January 31, at Bellingham Municipal Court. View the design alternatives here.
Draft Strategic Guidelines Take Shape
After a strong community process, the strategic guidelines for this project are approaching their final stages. Based on community comments, the first version of the guidelines was changed to reflect the work of the Waterfront Futures Group. These guidelines will be considered by the Port Commission and City Council in March.
Images from Nov. 16 Public Workshop on Strategic Guidelines
For information on the new Waterfront Advisory Group and the combined Port and City planning efforts click here.
Demolition Work Underway
Georgia Pacific is undertaking about $6 million of demolition work to remove buildings that the Port of Bellingham will not need for future site redevelopment. This demolition work will be underway in 2005 and 2006. The work is being done by local company, Northwest Recycling, which is working with GP to find markets to sell all materials and greatly reduce the amount of waste.
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Master Planning Work Underway
The Port and the City have hired a highly qualified consultant team to work with them to develop a master plan for the waterfront property. This effort in 2005 and 2006 will include many opportunities for public involvement and comment to ensure that the final plan meets the community's needs.
Waterfront Planning Meetings
Waterfront Master Plan Site
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