We
completed property owner surveys, market analysis, development concept plans,
economic and financial feasibility analysis, and implementation strategies for
the 40-block downtown business district for the Bellingham Department of
Economic Development. We interviewed locally interested developers and conducted
a public review session with local property and business owners.
Following numerous attempts to
redevelop the downtown, a regional shopping center was developed along
Interstate 5 on the outskirts of town that relocated the 3 department stores and
numerous other commercial businesses from the downtown district. The loss of
major anchor retail users left the former department stores empty and a number
of other key properties vacant. City Council initiated this study to determine
and help formulate downtown area revitalization strategies.
Our
plan proposed: 1) connecting the former JC Penney's Building with the commercial
storefronts and parking on Railroad Avenue; 2) redeveloping the historic hotels on the east side of
Railroad Avenue; and 3) redeveloping the hilltop area overlooking Whatcom
Creek
Park
and Heritage
Center.
Our
strategy also proposed the city sponsor a student housing program and Japanese
University
in association with Western
Washington
University; a new downtown YMCA facility, mid-town pedestrian connections, development of
an allied arts exhibition and sales facility, and expansion of the Mount Baker
Theater, among others.
Using
our plan strategies, developers renovated the former Bon Marche
department store for office uses, and retrofit the former Sears complex for an
athletic club filling the principal vacant spaces within the downtown within a
year of study completion.