Georgia Pacific waterfront redevelopment

One of the most daunting, and exciting at the same time, projects on the horizon in Bellingham is the waterfront redevelopment of the Georgia Pacific site, just past the downtown area, on Cornwall Avenue. G-P is vacating in the next few years and their departure will make available a large area of prime waterfront. As one would expect, there are a number of problems that remain: Cleanup costs and what to do with the land. Gloomy projections, by some, include having the port turn it into warehouse space. Optimistic parties want to see parks, clean industries that employ local people, a building for Huxley College, part of Western Washington University that emphasizes environmental studies. A marina that would accommodate pleasure and fishing boats is demanded by others. As the Port of Bellingham and the City of Bellingham work together to come up with a workable plan, input is politically hot and coming in from all sides. This is bound to be one of the pivotal issues in the upcoming mayoral election. Current Mayor Tim Douglas told me, at a meeting we both attend weekly, that he sees this as one of the most crucial decisions that has ever been made in the city ofBellingham. I am also on a citizen committee at Western Washington University and the administrators there seethis as an exciting opportunity that will have positive ramifications for the community and the university for years to come, maybe forever.

Public announcement for all to see, on Cornwall Ave

View of the current buildings

More of the present GP buildings

Steven L. Smith

www.kingofthehouse.com