By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Bellingham will host an Open House for those who want to learn more about proposed changes to the Waterfront District Master Plan.
Port and city officials approved the plan in 2013, which outlined the location of future roads, parks and view corridors. The Port Commission is considering two new ways – dubbed the Maple Connection and the Waypoint Connection – for improving public access through the downtown waterfront.
The Open House will take place on January 17 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Granary Building, located at 1208 Central Ave. in Bellingham. The public also has an opportunity to weigh in on the plan during the public comment period scheduled between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. at the upcoming January 16 and February 6 commission’s meetings held in the Harbor Center Conference Room, 1801 Roeder Ave. Input can also be emailed to waterfront@portofbellingham.com.
The commission plans to select a park and road layout for the Waterfront District in February and bring the proposed Master Plan change to the City of Bellingham as part of a Sub-Area Plan Amendment application. The review process of that application, due on April 1, 2018 could take up to a year.