Contact: Carolyn Casey
Port of Bellingham
360-676-2500 / 360-303-0518 (cell)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2006
Port Considers Demolition of Blaine Harbor Café
Aging Building Deemed too Expensive to Restore
[Bellingham, Wash.] More than two years after the owners of the Harbor Café in Blaine closed their business, the Port of Bellingham is considering demolition of the aging waterfront building.
This week the port is advertising for bids for contractors to perform the demolition work. The Port’s Board of Commissioners will vote on whether to authorize the demolition at its meeting on Aug. 15.
The café began operations in the early 1940s as a small pool and beer hall with the building on skids. The building was moved to its current location in the 1950s and was expanded in the 1980s. The most recent owners, Joe and Pat Slevin, operated the café for 21 years and it was a local landmark and gathering spot for area fishermen.
Because the building is more than 60 years old and is in poor physical condition, port staff has recommended its demolition.
Already the port is working with the city of Blaine to plan for the future of this waterfront site. This year the port is updating its Blaine Harbor Scheme of Harbor Improvements (overall master plan) and will have public meetings in Blaine this fall to discuss redevelopment options at the café site, as well as at other vacant buildings and undeveloped properties.
Many of the well-known items at the café were sold last year at a county auction or were removed by the owners, but the port has salvaged the photos and memorabilia that remained.
The Port of Bellingham operates Whatcom County’s major transportation terminals including the Bellingham Airport, Fairhaven Transportation Station and the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. The Port also serves about 2,000 moorage customers in its Blaine and Squalicum Harbors.
In addition, about 300 businesses operate on Port properties, which are managed by the Port Real Estate Division. The Port of Bellingham is a countywide independent special purpose government.
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