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"

More about the Bellingham Public Development Authority

Adaptive Re-use of the Federal Building.

The City of Bellingham acquired the Federal Building from the U.S. Government in 2004. Located in the heart of the Downtown District, the management of this City-owned asset, constructed in 1913, is provided by the BPDA. Formerly occupied by a number of federal agencies, development programming and re-tenanting will focus on the conversion of the building for economic development-related uses increasing diversity and development of sectors of the community's economic base with identified growth potential, increasing visitation and activity generated by building tenants to support downtown commercial activity and enhance asset values for surrounding properties owned by the private sector, and minimize capital investment by focusing on a tenant mix that can utilize the building in its as-is condition as much as possible.  Construction of an initial phase of improvements for code compliance and partial renovation was completed by the City in 2010.

More about the Federal Building

Assembly and Development of Vacant Parcels.

This approximate 0.7-acre site on the northeast corner of Cornwall Avenue and Maple Street in the Downtown District is currently used for surface parking on a monthly permit basis. The City transferred ownership of the property to the BPDA on December 29, 2010. Work is in progress for the sale of this property leveraging past City Investment in the property and generating a potential funding source to undertake other higher priority Downtown District and Old Town District redevelopment projects.  The sale of the property provides for an assembly with an adjacent vacant parcel to complete infill development of the remaining vacant parcels in this block, with a defined development required to commence within a defined time frame.  The development of the assembled parcels would be undertaken and funded by the purchaser of the BPDA parcel.  Development is for a substantial mixed use project, 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

Linking and Anchoring Lower Downtown and Old Town.

The Army Street Project includes a parcel of land owned by the BPDA, which would be planned for development as part of a larger project encompassing almost an entire City block located in the Old Town District and involving a collaborative assemblage of multiple adjacent properties owned by private property owners within the block. Public improvements included in the development would be intended to stimulate and support private investment in a development project providing a Downtown destination and activity center physically linking Downtown and Old Town.  Development of the Army Street Project would proceed separately but in parallel with future development in the Waterfront District undertaken by the Port of Bellingham, providing the opportunity for a potential pedestrian connection between the Waterfront District, the Downtown District, and the Old Town District.

More about the Army Street Project