The Arts District & Flora Street - Making Places for People project will provide improvements to the publicly owned property (sidewalks, streets, and related areas) within the Arts District (PDF) of downtown Bellingham. The improvements will focus on providing amenities and encouraging activities that will enliven and optimize use of these public spaces. This project involves substantial public involvement and comment from a wide range of stakeholders to craft a vision and design that will provide the maximum benefit and encourage partnerships to extend improvements to the private sector.
Working together, City staff, stakeholders and Nakano & Associates have created a conceptual plan for the Arts District (PDF) aimed at creating great public spaces. Your comments on this draft document are welcome.
The streetscape improvements at Bay and Holly (right) are designed to serve as the gateway to the Arts District, accommodate businesses to spill out into the sidewalks and plaza area, and facilitate outdoor community events on Bay Street.
The street improvements along Champion have created a place for people to gather and enjoy the goods of adjacent businesses as well as provide a wider space for pedestrians.
The improvements at Flora and Grand will accommodate school and tour buses, treat stormwater through rain gardens, and space for outdoor dining and public art installations.
The City is incorporating placemaking principles, into the design of this project, that were developed by Project for Public Spaces, Inc. (PPS)
PPS Placemaking Diagram (PDF)Placemaking and the City
For more information about the Arts District: Making Places for People Project contact the Community Development Division of the Planning and Community Development Department.
