Monday Morning News in Bellingham

🌧️ Today's Weather: Rain and snow showers likely through the afternoon, with some thunder possible. High near 45°F. South-southwest winds 6 to 10 mph, with gusts up to 21 mph. Chance of precipitation 80%.  Full forecast at NWS →

WTA Proposes Go Line Upgrades — Survey Open Now, Council Vote Coming in April

Heads up if you ride the bus or care about Bellingham traffic. Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) and the City of Bellingham have released a proposed Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for major improvements to the Go Line transit corridors. After several years of technical analysis and community input, the plan is out and they want your feedback before it moves forward.

The recommended approach, called the Enhanced Go Line, focuses on making existing routes faster and more reliable. Think transit signal priority (buses get greens faster), improved bus stops, and corridor changes designed to reduce travel time. The long-term goal is 10-minute service frequency.

Following this public comment phase, the LPA heads to the WTA Board of Directors and Bellingham City Council in early April for consideration. If you ride Go Line or drive the same corridors those buses use, this is worth 5 minutes of your time. Take the survey at engage.ridewta.com.

Port of Bellingham 2025 Report: Marine Cargo Returning, New Ag Center Underway

The Port of Bellingham released its 2025 Whatcom County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) progress report, and there's real movement worth noting. The Bellingham Shipping Terminal is seeing renewed activity after years of quiet, with new marine cargo contracts expected to generate roughly $1 million in wages and 1,200 dockworker shifts by the end of 2026.

In Ferndale, the Port completed the purchase of the 59-acre Boxx Berry Farm, now being transitioned into an Agricultural Research Center run by the Whatcom Food and Farming Station. The idea: support local farmers, climate-resilient agriculture, and community education on farmland right here in Whatcom County.

On the business side, local clean-tech company Pure Blue Tech Inc. is expanding from 10,000 to nearly 49,000 square feet at a Port facility, growing high-wage jobs in the clean-tech sector. More details in the full report at portofbellingham.com.

Know Your Bellingham Police Officer: BPD Releases Identification Videos

Bellingham Police Chief Mertzig posted new videos explaining exactly how to identify a genuine BPD officer. The videos are available in both English and Spanish on the City's YouTube channel.

The City reiterated clearly: Bellingham Police do not participate in civil immigration arrests. If you have questions about interacting with officers or want to share these videos with neighbors who may benefit, both links are on cob.org.

Planting or Removing a Tree Near the Street? You May Need a Free Permit First

Spring is almost here, and if you have outdoor projects in mind, the City of Bellingham has a timely reminder. If you plan to plant, maintain, or remove a tree near a street or sidewalk, you may need a free permit before you start.

The permit process protects utilities, sidewalks, and other infrastructure as trees grow and roots spread. City crews just fixed an underground stormwater pipe that had been punctured by roots from a tree planted too close to the street. Worth avoiding that for your neighbors and yourself.

Learn more and check requirements at cob.org/street-trees. And always call 811 before you dig to locate underground utilities.

Spring Homeowner Season Is Here: What's Worth Knowing Right Now

The calendar says early March, and that familiar Bellingham thing is happening: people start eyeing their yards, debating the deck replacement, and wondering what the market is doing. A few things worth knowing as we head into spring.

On the real estate side, the Bellingham area has remained in demand with limited inventory. If you're thinking about buying or selling this spring, the coming weeks tend to bring more listings and more competition at the same time. On of the more expensive homes listed is 291 Arbel Way, Bellingham, WA 98229 @ $5.8M.

The Upcoming Week

Spring Cleaning Season Is Here — Cascade Home Cleaning Has You Covered (sponsored)

Between the rain-streaked windows, the muddy entryway, and all those corners that somehow got away from you over winter, spring cleaning is no small project. This week, Cascade Home Cleaning is making it easier to get started.

New recurring clients get 40% off their first deep clean. That means a full, top-to-bottom clean at a serious discount, no strings attached beyond booking ongoing routine service. It's the reset your home deserves after a long Bellingham winter.

Offer expires at the end of the week, so do not sit on this one. Book at cascadehomecleaning.com.