Public access to the waterfront and enjoyment of the stunning waterfront views of Bellingham Bay from our parks and trails system are part of what makes Bellingham such a wonderful place to live and visit.
To fulfill the public's desire for more waterfront access and facilities, Bellingham Parks & Recreation contracted with Reid Middleton, an engineering consulting and planning firm with extensive waterfront experience, to complete a feasibility report for a new over-water walkway extending from the north end of Boulevard Park to the Bellingham Center Waterfront (former GP site).
Bellingham Parks & Recreation is now working with Berger/ABAM, a consulting firm specializing in waterfront structures, to complete the design and permitting phase of the project. The anticipated construction completion date is in the year 2013, which will be coordinated with cleanup actions planned at the Cornwall Landfill site.
Greenway Levy III - Waterfront Redevelopment: $4M
Federal Enhancement Grant for Over-Water Walkway: $2.139M
Real Estate Excise Tax for Over-Water Walkway Design: $150,000
The feasibility study is complete. The over-water walkway is in the design stage. Environmental permits for the walkway were submitted June 14, 2010. construction is being coordinated with the South State Street Manufactured Gas Plant cleanup site (located at the south end of the walkway) and the Cornwall Landfill cleanup site (located at the north end of the walkway). Construction of the walkway is expected to begin in the summer of 2013.
The City has obtained a Shoreline Conditional Use Permit, SEPA MDNS decision, and National Historic Preservation Act concurrence. All other permits are pending review and approval.
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