Waterfront Futures Group Update, Initial Findings, and Next Steps

Waterfront Futures GroupUpdate, Initial Findings, and Next Steps September 29, 2003 Report to the Bellingham City Council and Port Commission

Waterfront Futures Project Phase 2 Education, Analysis, and Focused Work Groups September 26, 2003 City Council/Port Commission

Work Groups • Character, Uses, and Design • Jobs and the Economy • Natural Systems and the Environment September 26, 2003 City Council/Port Commission

Information Gathering & Analysis • Other Waterfronts • Guest Forums • Research, Reports, and Databases September 26, 2003 City Council/Port Commission

Public Involvement, Input, and Information Sharing • Guest Forums taped and aired • Notebook materials and videos available • Presentations and meetings with community groups • Website information and input September 26, 2003 City Council/Port Commission

Character of Bellingham and our region September 26, 2003 City Council/Port Commission

Elements and OutcomesFeatures of Successful Waterfront Communities • Access • Character, Uses, and Design • Jobs and Economic Development • Environmental Quality • Public Process September 26, 2003 City Council/Port Commission

Character Land Uses and Design Initial Findings (for Ted’s notes) • A bold conceptual design must be developed that creates an image of greatness and a feeling of opportunity • Existing small business is one of Bellingham’s most important strengths • Water-related industries/ businesses/ activities should be prioritized • Old Town and the Cornwall Landfill are two of the most important waterfront transition zones • Community and policy-maker buy-in are the keys to success in terms of implementation and quality of design September 26, 2003 City Council/Port Commission

Ted’s notes… • The most significant development choices will occur in Fairhaven and City Center • Chuckanut and Edgemoor, especially Chuckanut, will not experience much development • There is no “parking crisis” in Bellingham, and the waterfront should not be planned as if there is one • Access is not just physical, but visual and economic as well • Bellingham offers a unique blend of hard and soft shorelines September 26, 2003 City Council/Port Commission

Character, Uses, and DesignInitial Findings • “Character" should lead the way to redevelopment options, uses, and design. • History contributes to our region’s character • Our city and county continue to grow • Our waterfront is where our city started • Early industries sought waterfront locations • Our waterfront is an industrial “landscape” September 26, 2003 City Council/Port Commission

Character, Uses and Designcontinued… • Waterfront sees itself as a working waterfront • Attractive and accessible waterfront areas already exist • We need more pedestrian friendly links • Downtown and waterfront areas need not compete • Create waterfront neighborhoods • A benchmark of quality needs to be set • The G-P site needs to be integrated into the vision September 26, 2003 City Council/Port Commission

Steve’s notes… • Despite the closure of Georgia Pacific and other visible shut-downs, most of the businesses on the waterfront are healthy and the area is diverse – a waterfront that works • Many of the traditional economic indicators do not apply to the waterfront due to seasonality, contract labor, “under-the-table” business transactions • It is unlikely that a single large industry or business will appear on the waterfront in the near future • Bellingham Cold Storage is a part of the waterfront infrastructure • Existing businesses inject a distinct sense of place to the community • Deep water channels remain an important part of the working waterfront September 26, 2003 City Council/Port Commission

Jobs and the EconomyInitial Findings… • Cooperative economic development strategies work • Local “living wage" jobs benefit the community • ‘Spill-over’ and niche markets exist for Bellingham • Competitive rail freight rates would encourage commerce • Mosquito fleets and ‘home ports’ benefit waterfront economies September 26, 2003 City Council/Port Commission

Jobs and the Economy continued… • Bellingham Bay waterfront is not the best location for heavy industry that is not water dependent • Economic development relies on adequate hard and soft infrastructure • Demand continues for marinas here and in the county • Multi-modal transportation serves our community well September 26, 2003 City Council/Port Commission

Environmental Quality initial findings… Chuckanut Bay and Clark’s Point: Constrained natural system and prime location for wildlife Post Point to Marine Park: Beach nourishment, enhanced storm water control, re-establish shoreline Marine Park to Taylor Avenue: Reestablish habitat and protect Taylor Avenue to Boulevard Park: Taylor Avenue: Protect this area from injurious incursions; an environmental education opportunity Boulevard Park: Remove shore armoring, constructed gravel beach for access September 26, 2003 City Council/Port Commission

Environmental Quality initial findings continued… Cornwall Ave Landfill: Control groundwater flow, curtail pollutants entering Bay Remove sheet piling and reestablish the beach Colony Wharf: Substantial clean-up prior to redevelopment with significant removal of contaminated soils I and J Waterway: Near shore fish habitat and passage Mt. Baker Plywood to Cement Plant dock: Right conditions for a successful fish habitat Squalicum and Little Squalicum: September 26, 2003 City Council/Port Commission

Photos for Public Process

Access

ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL WATERFRONT DESIRED OUTCOMES PROJECT DETAILS Access Character Uses & Design Priority Cost Timeline Lead Agency Jobs and the Economy Environmental Quality Public Process

Near-Term Timeline $$ Budget High Priority Access Taylor Dock ü Increases Contact with the Shoreline and Water ü Maximizes Public Space at the Water’s Edge ü Creates Connections to the Urban Core and Neighborhoods ü Further Develops Multi-Modal Transportation ü Is Welcoming to All

Character, Land Uses, Design Taylor Dock ü ü ü ü ü Timeline Budget Priority Identifies and Builds on Heritage and Culture to Create a Sense of Place Near-Term $$ High Retains Authenticity Facilitates Changing Economic and Market Conditions Ensures Mixed Uses with an Emphasis on Water-Related, Oriented, and Dependent Uses Plans for Significant Residential Development and a Diversity of Housing Choices Creates Opportunities for Marine-Related Educational Experiences Creates Ties to Educational Institutions Creates Compatibility of Design Elements Relates to Existing Upland Development

Next Steps • Hear from business and property owners, neighborhoods, and other specific project constituents and stakeholders • Sponsor Waterfront Center to engage the public and stimulate creative thinking • Build upon framework of Features of Successful Waterfront Communities September 26, 2003 City Council/Port Commission

Next Steps continued… • Conduct a Design Assistance Team to inform our work • Continue research into existing employment base and economic trends • Learn more about job training, "responsible bidding," and other aspects of our job base • Map shoreside conditions and opportunities September 26, 2003 City Council/Port Commission

Our Waterfront is the Connector But look! Here come more crowds, pacing straight for the water, and seemingly bound for a dive. Strange! Nothing will content them but the extremist limit of the land; loitering under the shady lee of yonder warehouses will not suffice. No. They must get just as nigh the water as they possibly can without falling in. And there they stand – miles of them – leagues. Inlanders all, they come from lanes and alleys, streets and avenues – north, east, south, and west. Yet here they all unite. Herman Melville, Moby Dick September 26, 2003 City Council/Port Commission

Waterfront Futures Group Update, Initial Findings, and Next Steps