Contact: Sylvia Goodwin
Port of Bellingham
(360) 676-2500 Terry Galvin
City of Blaine
(360) 332-8311
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2007
PUBLIC COMMENTS ENCOURAGED AT UPCOMING BLAINE WATERFRONT MASTER PLAN MEETING
[Bellingham, Wash.] A community workshop at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, February 7, at the Blaine Boating Center will highlight development concepts currently in progress for the Blaine Wharf District Master Plan.
The City of Blaine and Port of Bellingham are collaborating on a City Comprehensive Plan amendment that will guide development in the Blaine Wharf District. Planning officials are working together on the Blaine Wharf District Master Plan to keep the developments and surroundings of the waterfront authentic as well as improve the connection both physically and visually between downtown and the harbor.
The Blaine Wharf District Master Plan will have a single overall design and land use concept and 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.
In addition to its function as an element of the city’s Comprehensive Plan, the Blaine Wharf District Master Plan will serve as an update to the Port’s 1998 Blaine Harbor Comprehensive Improvement Plan. Revisions to the city’s Shoreline Master Program, development regulations and design standards also will be addressed to ensure consistency.
The port’s current Blaine Harbor Comprehensive Improvement Plan was adopted in 1998, and many major goals from the 1998 plan already have been accomplished. These accomplishments include completion of the marina expansion, construction of a new breakwater, construction of a new public boating center, enhancements to the landscaping and promenade, improvements to the parking at Gates 2 and 3, and installation of new benches and picnic tables at the public fishing pier.
The city is upgrading Marine Drive and preparing for construction of its new Lighthouse Square Park, Community Lighthouse and Wastewater Reclamation Facility. Most recently, city staff drafted preliminary architectural plans for a pedestrian bridge from H Street over the railroad tracks connecting the newly constructed downtown boardwalk to Blaine Harbor. This was done through $15,000 of Small City Economic Development funding provided by the port.
Both the port and city officials want to hear comments and suggestions on the proposed development concept and objectives for these Blaine waterfront plans. Everyone is welcome to attend and encouraged to participate in this informal workshop. More formal hearings are scheduled to take place later in the spring.
The Boating Center address is 235 Marine Drive, at the Blaine Harbor. More background information and directions to the center are available on the following websites www.portofbellingham.com or www.ci.blaine.wa.us.
