Bellis Fair Changes

            One of the largest shopping centers in Bellingham, the Bellis Fair mall, is undergoing a series of changes including closures and store additions. According to on site mall advertisements, the popular European store H&M is under construction and is scheduled to open Fall 2014. The second-run Bellis Fair Regal Theater, which was the last of its kind in Bellingham, was recently closed and demolished, and the site is under construction as well.

The area is no stranger to change. A portion of the mall’s food court was sectioned off and transformed into the women’s clothing store Forever 21 in the last two years. According to public notices on the City of Bellingham website, the Eliza Avenue arterial street was added to the Bellis Fair Parkway to increase traffic flow.

Bellingham Herald mentions new restaurant: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/02/26/3499547/chipotle-files-building-permit.html

Bellis Fair Website: http://www.bellisfair.com/

Eliza Avenue Public Notice Changes: http://www.cob.org/government/departments/pw/projects/completed-2013/eliza-es-441.aspx

Costco Expanding

     The city of Bellingham issued a decision on May 1, 2014 approving the construction of additional buildings to the Costco located along W. Bakerview Road, according to a public noticed posted on the city of Bellingham website. New buildings will sit on about 20 acres of land, include over 800 parking spaces, and a new 162,000 square foot warehouse, according to the city of Bellingham website. The decision also included the approval of a 24-pump gas station.

     While cheap gas is nothing to chide at, how will the new developments impact traffic? In an area that already sees heavy congestion and an increased flux of shoppers on the week end, more cars are going to be transiting through the area to use the new facilities. Traffic safety is huge concern for the Meridian neighborhood, and the continuation of commercial expanding could negatively impact that safety.

Read about it in the Bellingham Herald:

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/05/01/3619153/city-costco-would-widen-bakerview.html

Washington state takes action on traffic safety in the area:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/8_539GuideMakeover.htm

Link to the public notice:

http://www.cob.org/cob/Pubnot.nsf/frmNotice/CFE31A0BA7CF146188257CCB008079C3?OpenDocument

Costco website:

http://www.costco.com/