Organization to Lead the Development of Vacant and Under-Utilized City Properties.

The mission of the Bellingham Public Development Authority is to develop and promote the use of City-owned property for the financial, social, and environmental well being of the community.

See the BPDA Strategic Plan Version 2.0, adopted by the Board on October 25, 2011 by going to the Library Page under "Operating Documents"

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Adaptive Re-use of the Federal Building.

The City of Bellingham acquired the Federal Building, constructed in 1913 and located in the heart of the Downtown District, from the U.S. Government in 2004.  Construction of an initial phase of improvements for code compliance and partial renovation funded by a federal grant was completed by the City in 2010, and the several federal agencies that had been long-time tenants completed vacating the building in June 2011.

Management of the asset was assigned to the BPDA in March 2010.  The BPDA prepared an Adaptive Re-Use and Re-Tenanting Plan, completed in late 2011, outlining various alternative strategies to return the building to productive use.  Alternatives focused on maximizing use of the building in an as-is condition for institutional use, targeted as a facility for advanced education programs and to foster the development of arts-related business development, and potential use for civic and governmental office purposes to implement short-term and long-term City capital facilities plans.

In May 2013, the City's preferred alternative was defined to reserve the building for use for City government offices, with potential office use for other local governmental entities.  Accordingly, commencing in June after a brief transition period, asset and facilities management will be assumed by the City and provided in-house by the City Public Works administration.  BPDA staff and budget resources will be redeployed to redevelopment projects remaining under the purview of the BPDA.

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Assembly and Development of Vacant Parcel.

Ownership of this 0.7 acre vacant parcel located at the northeast corner of Cornwall Avenue and Maple Street, which the City acquired in December 2008, was conveyed to the BPDA in December 2010.  This parcel was one of two remaining unimproved parcels comprising the block of land bounded by Maple Street, Cornwall Avenue, Chestnut Street and North State Street.

In July 2012 the parcel was sold to the adjacent property owner and developer of other parcels within the block for an assemblage combining these remaining vacant lots.  The purchaser is responsible for funding and undertaking a substantial infill development of the consolidated parcels, with the commencement of the first phase of development anticipated in 2013.

Development permitting is in progress for a mixed-use development of the parcels.  Build-out of the project is anticipated to include a structured parking component, assisted and workforce residential, and commercial services placing these vacant parcels into productive use and expanding the City's tax base.

More about the 1100 Cornwall Project

Development for Resource-Based Business Operations Advocated for Remediated Brownfield Site.

The City owns this 2.2 acre vacant brownfield property located in the Old Town District, acquiring it in 2001 and completing environmental remediation of the site in 2007.  The BPDA undertook management of the property and its future develoopment per a 2011 Management Agreement.  Planning is in the early stages for interim or permanent use of all or a portion of the site as an aquaponics or fishing industry-related enterprise developed, owned and operated by a private company formed for that purpose.  This use would be compatible with and complementary to current uses adjacent to the parcel, including the fisheries center operated by the Bellingham Technical College.

More about 600 W. Holly Street Project

Anchoring  Downtown and Old Town.

The Army Street Project is a working title referring to the potential redevelopment of an assemblage of a number of properties, including a vacant parcel owned by the BPDA, within the block of land located within the City's Old Town District and bounded by West Holly Street, Central Avenue, Bay Street and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks.  The Army Street Project is envisioned as a themed, master-planned complex of integrated mixed uses that would function as a destination and activity center, intended to support investment and activity in its environs.  A well-planned and executed development of this strategic location would provide a key "place-making element" interconnecting the Downtown District and the Old Town District, and provide for a connection with future development in the Waterfront District.

Collaboration with the owners of the multiple small parcels within the block to accomplish a voluntary consolidation of the several individual property interests is underway.  Due diligence and feasibility research, with continued work on plans for the Army Street Project, will follow implementation of these first critical steps in the land assembly and development strategy during 2013.

More about the Army Street Project