City of Bellingham: Public Domain Photos
BELLINGHAM, WA — A new “Around The Metro” roundup from the City of Bellingham outlines several projects and updates shaping the community, including new funding aimed at expanding electric vehicle access, continued work on environmental restoration, and recent changes in the downtown core.
One of the most notable developments is a newly awarded grant that will help broaden access to electric vehicles across Bellingham. The City is set to receive approximately $630,000 through Puget Sound Energy’s Transportation Emission Reduction program. That funding will be used to launch a pilot electric vehicle carshare cooperative designed to make EV use more accessible for lower-income residents. City officials say the program is expected to cut transportation emissions while also helping participants reduce fuel and maintenance costs. The effort builds on previous work completed between 2023 and 2025, when EV charging stations were installed at 26 locations throughout the city.
Environmental restoration efforts are also moving forward through a strengthened regional partnership focused on fish passage. Earlier this week, the Bellingham City Council approved moving ahead with a second cooperative agreement involving the Lummi Nation, the Nooksack Indian Tribe, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The agreement builds on a partnership first formed in 2022, which focused on identifying and addressing fish passage barriers connected to City-owned infrastructure. Since then, the partners have worked together to inventory those barriers, prioritize projects, and develop a long-term implementation plan. Once finalized, the agreement will allow the group to formally adopt that plan and begin pursuing funding and permits for future restoration work.
Downtown conditions remain a key focus as well. In response to concerns raised by residents and business owners, the City recently completed a detailed study examining vacant ground-floor commercial spaces in the downtown area. The report looks at what is driving vacancies, why certain properties have been harder to reactivate, and how those factors affect overall street activity. Officials say the findings will help guide future strategies aimed at improving vibrancy and encouraging more consistent use of downtown spaces.
At the same time, the City has taken more immediate action in one part of downtown. On April 29, a three-block stretch of alley between Railroad Avenue and Cornwall Avenue, from Holly Street to Chestnut Avenue, was temporarily closed. According to City officials, the closure is intended to disrupt ongoing drug-related activity that has created safety concerns in the area. The move is described as targeted and temporary, part of a broader approach focused on making downtown safer and more welcoming for the public.
The update also highlighted recent Earth Day activities held across Bellingham. Several hundred residents participated in events throughout the month, including recycling programs, educational activities, and volunteer efforts. One of the largest projects took place at the Squalicum Creek re-route restoration site, where 181 volunteers worked together to remove invasive plant species as part of ongoing habitat restoration work. Additional volunteer opportunities are expected to continue into May.
The latest “Around The Metro” update offers a snapshot of how the City is balancing long-term planning with near-term action as it continues working through environmental priorities, infrastructure needs, and quality-of-life concerns across the community.
About the Author
Discover more from Bellingham Metro News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
