Roosevelt Neighborhood Letter received by Bellingham Metro News
BELLINGHAM — The City of Bellingham is planning to purchase a property on Pacific Street that would become a permanent daytime resource center for unhoused individuals, a move that is already drawing attention from nearby residents and business owners as the City prepares to shift daytime homelessness services away from the downtown core and into the Roosevelt neighborhood area.
According to a letter distributed to nearby property owners, residents, and businesses, the City intends to purchase the property at 2020 Pacific Street, the former site of PTLA Property Management, and convert it into what officials describe as a “service-focused” day center for people experiencing homelessness.
The proposal comes as the City acknowledges that many unhoused individuals currently spend large portions of the day in downtown Bellingham, particularly around the Central Library and surrounding areas. In the letter, City officials noted that the Central Library is expected to close temporarily for renovations later this year, something the City says increases the urgency for a dedicated daytime facility elsewhere in the city.
The proposed center would effectively relocate a significant portion of daytime unhoused activity and services away from downtown and into the Pacific Street area near the Roosevelt neighborhood. According to the City, the facility would operate year-round during daytime hours and serve approximately 50 people daily.
Officials say the center would be operated by a nonprofit community services provider and would offer access to mental health care, substance use treatment resources, housing case management, and additional social services. The City also states that most individuals using the center would be transported to and from the site by service providers.
The relocation aspect of the proposal has already sparked conversations among community members after copies of the City’s letter began circulating online and were shared with Bellingham Metro News. One person who contacted BMN and requested anonymity described the project as a plan to begin moving unhoused daytime activity from downtown Bellingham into the Roosevelt neighborhood area.
While the City does not specifically use the word “relocation” in the letter itself, officials do openly state that the project is intended to create a new daytime location for unhoused individuals outside of downtown spaces currently being used informally throughout the day.
In the notice, the City attempted to reassure nearby residents and businesses by outlining several operational and security measures tied to the proposed center. According to the letter, the property would be fenced and monitored during operating hours, and the operator would be responsible for making sure guests remain on the property while the center is open and leave afterward.
The City also says contact information would be provided for community members to report concerns if problems arise. Officials added that they intend to coordinate with law enforcement, nearby residents, service providers, and surrounding property owners as the project moves forward.
Additionally, the City referenced “shelter protection zones” already used near facilities such as the Way Station and Lighthouse Mission. Those zones prohibit sitting, lying, camping, or remaining in vehicles on nearby public rights-of-way. According to the City, the zones are intended to reduce impacts on surrounding neighborhoods while allowing police enforcement when necessary.
The letter cites the 2025 Point-in-Time Count, which reportedly found that 815 people are currently experiencing homelessness in Whatcom County, with approximately 82% located in Bellingham.
City officials say there is currently no dedicated daytime facility in Whatcom County specifically designed for unhoused individuals to access services throughout the day, which they describe as one of the primary reasons behind the project.
The City expects the day center to open in fall 2026.
A public meeting regarding the proposal has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the City of Bellingham Public Works Pacific Street Operations Center located at 2221 Pacific Street.
As of publication, the City of Bellingham has not publicly released the expected purchase price for the property, identified which nonprofit organization would operate the facility, or announced whether additional neighborhood meetings may follow.
Bellingham Metro News will continue monitoring the proposal and community response as additional information becomes available.
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