Developer, city planners say impact on views of bay will be minimal

JOHN STARK - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

BELLINGHAM – Over objections from some neighbors, city Planning Director Tim Stewart has approved height increases for new buildings proposed for developer David Ebenal’s Bellwether Gate project on Port of Bellingham property.

Buildings on the 3.1-acre site between the two Anthony’s restaurants had been restricted to 35 feet in height under the terms of a 1998 planned development contract between the port and the city. But Stewart has the legal authority to approve changes to that contract, and on Thursday, he agreed to allow Ebenal to build one 50-foot-tall building and three more that are planned for 38 feet.

At a Nov. 29 Bellingham Planning Commission hearing on the matter, residents of some nearby homes and condos complained that the bigger buildings would hurt their property values by encroaching on their views of Bellingham Bay. But port officials and Ebenal’s representatives said the developer would need a bigger building to help cover the multimillion-dollar cost of building 176 underground parking spots on the site. Underground parking is a public benefit because it leaves more space for public use, they argued.

Both the developer and city planners did analyses of the impact on views, and suggested that the impact would be minimal.

Other opponents argued it would be a breach of faith to change the 1998 height limits, which were put in place partly to allay neighborhood displeasure over the height of existing Bellwether buildings.

Planning commissioners split 3-3 in an advisory vote on the matter.

In granting the increased building heights, Stewart issued a statement saying that Ebenal’s project would “provide efficient use of land and existing infrastructure, will to pay the port $2.9 million for an 80-year lease on the property. The biggest of the four new buildings would contain ground-floor retail space, topped by two floors of office space for CH2M Hill and an upper floor with 10 condo units.

A public walkway along the shoreline also is included in the project, as well as a public plaza and open space areas.

Port Executive Director Jim Darling said Stewart’s ruling clears the way for final approval of Ebenal’s lease. He said construction was likely to begin on the first of the four buildings some time in 2008.

Reach John Stark at 715-2274 or john.stark@bellinghamherald.com.

ART AND CHILDREN’S MUSEUM GROUNDBREAKING

When: 5:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Intersection of Grand Avenue and Flora Street.
Activities: Food and music, kids’ craft tables, information tables about the project.
More Information: Bellingham Whatcom Public Facilities District, 738-7451 or www.bwpfd.org.

Museum design: See an artist’s rendering of the new museum with this story at TheBellinghamHerald.com.

Thursday event is planned for the whole family

MARY LANE GALLAGHER -THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

BELLINGHAM – Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new art and children’s museum will include a family style block party.

Work will probably begin next week on the art gallery and children’s museum at the corner of Grand Avenue and Flora Street.

The $11.2 million construction project is a cornerstone of the Bellingham Whatcom Public Facilities District, which receives a small portion of sales tax revenue to buy bonds to fund major cultural projects.

The district is also funding a major renovation of Mount Baker Theatre.

Thursday’s event will include speeches, food from downtown business and music by the Atlantics; the Children’s Museum will provide a craft table for kids.

The section of Flora Street next to the museum will be blocked off for the event, and the festivities will take up the street and adjacent alley.

“It’s kind of like a block party, family style,” said Patricia Decker, manager of the district.

The groundbreaking also marks the end of nearly five years of work to find the side, design the building and put together a funding plan to get the museum built.

The 42,700-square-foot building will be financed with a combination of bonds repaid with sales tax revenue and private fundraising efforts by Campaign for the Arts and the What-com Museum Society.

The city is putting up “gap financing” to get construction going, which is to be repaid by the private contributions.

It’s also backing the bonds in case sales tax revenues aren’t enough to repay them.

The building, expected to open in spring 2009, will be an addition to the Whatcom Museum of History and Art.

It will house the museum’s art collection and children’s museum. The museum’s current main building, the 1892 City Hall, will be devoted to history.

The new building will include an outdoor courtyard, café and gift shop.

The building’s most prominent feature will be a curved translucent glass wall 33 feet high that will bring light into the building and emanate light into the courtyard at night.

The district hopes to give Ebenal General Construction Inc. the go-ahead to begin work next week, Decker said.

The first job will probably be dismantling with current building she said, while recycling as much material as possible.

Reach Mary Lane Gallagher at 715-22785 or mary.gallagher@bellinghamherald.com.

Want some good news for a change? Let’s forget Iraq, immigration stalemate, crime in our community and property taxes.

Take a good look at your newly renovated WTA transit terminal. Your tax dollars account for 97 percent of its maintenance, operation and capital expenditures. You will come away surprised, pleased and proud.

In an age when government growth is married forever to spending, waste, mismanagement, and – surprise – even corruption, we are getting our money’s worth here.

I was very proud of our WTA when leaving it in 1989. I had seen us grow from almost no service to a community-related professional system that was answering the call for mass transit and responding well to the future needs of this community.

Frankly, being the “father” of the current terminal, I was ready to pounce on any “improvements” to my baby. Was I ever wrong! From the WTA director through the contracted manager, the architectural team and finally the construction crew, I have nothing but the highest praise for their design and professionalism.

The project is within budget. Its design and appearance are both highly pleasing and functional while reflecting great pride within the operation.

Ed Griemsmann

Bellingham