Seeing Is Believing

Downtown Bellingham Gaining Optimism as Efforts Bearing Fruit

by Dave Brumbaugh

 

Answer: Garbage cans and a four-story building. Question: What are some visible improvements in downtown Bellingham?

For many, the key point when discussing downtown’s economic health is there are some visible improvements after years of talk and studies.

“As a group, downtown business owners are excited about finally seeing some of the city’s planning processes come to fruition,” says Tom Dorr, executive director of Western Washington University’s Small Business Development Center, who works with many of the businesses.

The biggest sign of progress is located at what may be downtown’s most important intersection: the corner of Holly Street and Railroad Avenue.

Development Rick Westerop of West-Lind Construction Management in Bellingham is building a four-story structure at the site of the former Flame Tavern, one of downtown’s most notorious eyesores. The $1.5 million building, with a name yet to be announced, will have ground-floor retail space and 24 apartment units. Westerop estimates construction may be completed by July 1.

Westerop says a key factor in his decision to invest in the development was the city’s Multi-Family Tax Exemption Program, adopted in 1999 to encourage residential construction in the central city. This project will have a 10-year exemption from city property taxes under terms of the program.

However, the bottom line for Westerop is his belief in downtown’s improving economic prospects.

“I think the earlier you get in, the better deal you get,” he comments. “I think downtown is going to take off in a few years.”

The project is boosting spirits downtown even though it isn’t finished.

“Just seeing the construction is a leap forward from seeing a decaying building and a hole in the ground,” says Mauri Ingram, executive director of the Downtown Renaissance Network.

Kitty-corner from Westerop’s project is the site of the former Mason Building, labeled “The Pit” by some after a 1994 fire destroyed the structure. The Bellingham City Council agreed in November to fund a building pad and supporting pillars at the site and grant a 50-year lease to Marketplace Development, a partnership comprised of two Bellingham businessmen, architect Jeff McClure and Jeff Kochman, president of Barkley Co. This building also will offer first-floor retail spaces as well as 34 apartments. Construction hasn’t begun yet on this project.

“The Railroad and Holly projects are going to start to have a snowball effect,” Dorr remarks. He cites as an example a business close to the intersection that now is planning to remodel its building.

More downtown housing will be added when remodeling of the Oakland Building is completed. The Oakland Building, located along Holly Street between Bay and Champion streets, will offer 20 apartments — 16 studios and four one-bedroom units — by late this summer.

Additional downtown residents are expected to increase sales at nearby businesses and also improve downtown’s visibility among the general public.

 

New businesses

The ebb of failing businesses downtown appears to be matched by the flow of new ones opening their doors. Over the Fence (a home décor store), Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant and Logos Research Systems — all owned by established entrepreneurs — began operating downtown in recent months. They join approximately 600 downtown businesses with about 6,000 employees.

Fran and Jerri Sanford decided to open their second Over the Fence store at the corner of Commercial and Magnolia street. The store, opened Sept. 17, is operated by their daughter and son-in-law, Emily and Scott Underwood.

Over the Fence enjoyed a “really, really good” Christmas season, Scott Underwood reports.

“I feel we’re on the brink of something great downtown,” he adds. “There’s so much potential.”

Giuseppe Mauro opened Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant in February at 1309 N. Commercial St., a site formerly occupied by the il Fiasco and boZak restaurants. Giuseppe’s is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays and for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. daily.

Mauro, originally from Sicily, is also the chef. Giuseppe’s features pasta, seafood, chicken, meat and lamb dishes from the northern and southern regions of Italy. He owned Trattoria Giuseppe in Langley on Whidbey Island for five years and has hotel and dining experience in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Italy and the Cayman Islands.

Logos Research Systems, Inc., which produces software for the Christian market and employs about 45 people, moved early this month from Oak Harbor to 1313 Commercial St., between La Pinata Mexican Restaurant and Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant and across from the Parkade in downtown Bellingham.

Logos Research Systems, founded in 1992, has grown into one of the largest developers of software for the Christian market and a worldwide leader in multilingual electronic publishing. Its technology is used to deliver Bible reference libraries in English, Spanish, Swedish, Norwegian, Afrikaans and many other languages.

Both Dorr and Ingram believe established downtown businesses are faring well despite last year’s economic slump. Ingram notes sales at her restaurant, The Calumet, are up from last year. She also predicts downtown will benefit from the trend of people taking shorter trips in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

“Downtown is really positioned well,” she says.

 

Looking good

Other reasons for optimism downtown are smaller but expected to have a cumulative impact.

Attractive banners designed by Scott Montgomery of Bellingham have been hung from street poles on the section of Lakeway Drive between Interstate 5 and Holly Street. More will go up along Holly, Chestnut, Magnolia, Cornwall and Commercial streets as the winds diminish later this spring.

Also, 44 red garbage cans, designed by artist Chris Pauley, were purchased by the city to replace aging and deteriorating receptacles downtown.

Ingram says the cans and banners are examples of inexpensive items that improve the appearance of the city’s streets.

“The philosophy for us is the more physical improvements made downtown, the more pride people take in it,” Ingram remarks.

Dorr sees individual businesses also are taking steps to make downtown look a little better. He cites as examples the large mural facing Holly Street on the Horseshoe Café and the flowers planted at the base of trees in front of the Bellingham Towers.

“You’ve got pockets of ownership taking responsibility for their immediate area,” Dorr notes.

However, he warns that there’s a danger of downtown businesses blaming outside sources, such as city government, for their economic woes.

“They need to make sure their house is in order before they start pointing fingers,” Dorr states.

 

Future events

The Downtown Renaissance Network also is working with the local Gallery Association to revamp the quarterly Gallery Walks. The one planned March 8 was expected to include retailers and restaurants — not just galleries — as venues for visitors to see exhibits from local artists. An attempt also was being made to arrange for classical musicians to perform on the streets during this walk. More changes are planned for later walks.

Recognition of downtown as the city’s cultural district already is growing. It is home to the Mount Baker Theatre, which attracts about 92,000 people annually to a variety of performances. The renowned Whatcom Museum of History and Art and the Bellingham Public Library also draw thousands of people each year. The Pickford Cinema, Allied Arts, Bellingham Antique Radio Museum and Mindport Exhibits also draw many residents and visitors downtown.

Other events being planned by downtown merchants, organizations and city officials include a downtown component of the Ski to Sea festival on Memorial Day weekend. A family-oriented day the Fourth of July at Maritime Heritage Park along Holly Street will feature a salmon barbecue, music and children’s activities. Another event is sought for Labor Day.

 

More involvement

One of the key components in improving the economic health of downtown Bellingham is the increasing amount of involvement by businesses.

A recent example is the uproar caused by merchants when Bellingham Postmaster John Borso proposed closing the service window at the post office in the Federal Building, located in the heart of downtown at the corner of Magnolia and Cornwall streets. After many businesses complained, saying the Federal Building post office was especially needed because access to the main office on Prospect Street was so difficult, Borso withdrew the proposal, which was sparked by budget considerations.

Mayor Mark Asmundson says the city will work with local postal officials to address their immediate concerns. The government entities also hope to develop a downtown post office with better access and parking facilities for customers and employees that will be ready when the U.S. Postal Service’s lease of the Prospect Street facility expires in eight years.