The City of Blaine and Port of Bellingham are collaborating on an update to Blaine waterfront plans that will provide for a single overall design and land use concept. Planning officials are working together to ensure future development on the waterfront remains consistent with the planned concept as well as improves the connections both physically and visually from downtown to the harbor. The Blaine Wharf District Master Plan will provide for a mix of commercial, industrial, residential and recreational uses that are pedestrian friendly and serve the needs of both residents and visitors.
The Port’s current Blaine Harbor Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements was adopted in 1998, and many major goals from the 1998 plan have already been accomplished. These accomplishments included:
- the marina expansion,
- new breakwater,
- construction of a new public boating center,
- new landscaping and upgrades to the promenade,
- parking upgrades at Gates 2 and 3, and
- new benches & picnic tables installed at the public fishing pier.
Projects continuing to be considered are:
- harbor entrance signage,
- remaining improvements to Marine Drive,
- redevelopment of web lockers and west end industrial areas, and
- additional parking at Gate 1.
Zoning code changes, view corridors and design standards are all being taken into consideration in the Blaine Wharf District Master Plan. Other subsequent events such as Marine Drive reconstruction, the closure and demolition of the former Harbor Café, the addition of the new Northern Lights Building, and the update of the City’s Shoreline Master Program regulations will all be taken into consideration in the New Blaine Wharf District Master Plan.
The Port’s holdings in Blaine include approximately 56.5 acres of fee simple owned land and approximately 15 acres of State owned tidelands under Port of Bellingham management authority. Port of Bellingham facilities consist of nearly 600 state-of-the-art boat slips for permanent moorage of commercial and pleasure boats, as well as, more than 700 feet of visitor moorage in Blaine Harbor Marina. Additional facilities include the Blaine Boating Center with public meeting space, a public boat launch, a public fishing pier with benches, picnic tables and viewing areas and three web locker storage facilities. Port tenants in Blaine include seafood processors, a shipyard with marine rail haul out equipment, boat repairs, yacht brokers and other marine related services, as well as mix of commercial businesses in the Dockside Mall and Northern Light Buildings.
Public Involvement and the Planning Process
We encourage you to share your comments about the improvements you would like the Port and the City of Blaine to consider in the Blaine Wharf District Master Plan by contacting us via mail or e-mail at:
Port of Bellingham
Planning & Development Division
P.O. Box 1677
Bellingham WA 98227-1677
Blaineplanportofbellingham.com
Comments collected will be documented and updated monthly. Any further questions or inquiries, contact Sylvia Goodwin, Planning and Development Director at 360-676-2500 or sylviagportofbellingham.com
