Waterfront

Our Community’s Vision for a World-Class Waterfront

The groundwork is finished, it’s time to create a unified vision to develop the best waterfront property on the west coast, and perhaps even the U.S.

The entirety of my first two terms were spent in litigation with Harcourt to regain control over our waterfront. It began in 2018 and we did not receive ownership of the waterfront development until June of 2025.

Until the litigation was complete we could not develop the property, but we led the efforts to create temporary and movable containers that created commerce on the development site. We added a small container village to bring people to the waterfront. This attracted partners like Paper Whale, the non-profit cultural accelerator to infuse energy and creativity into our waterfront to get it primed for what’s to come. We also attracted the largest biking event in the State, the Northwest Tune-up to our temporary pump track.

Now that we’re free of litigation and the property is back in the hands of our community, it’s time to begin developing this space into the world-class waterfront property Whatcom County deserves.

This comprehensive vision will involve massive public outreach with input from planners at the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County, the Lummi Nation, surrounding Neighborhood Associations, Labor and Working Waterfront organizations, community coalitions, the business community, and all other stakeholders.

With a cohesive plan for our waterfront, we can determine the number of retail spaces, housing, light industrial, and community recreational spaces so the Port can actively provide the right conditions to attract the right businesses. We must undergo this essential process as a community if we truly want to maximize every ounce of potential that our waterfront holds.

Our Working Waterfront

Public participation and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders is central to the success of a working waterfront.

There is no asset like Bellingham Bay for economic development and job creation. It is my intent to maximize our potential at our Shipping Terminal and boatyards.

The Shipping Terminal will be ready for use in 2026, but the future of it is at stake in this election. With limited touch points for ships to enter we must make sure we invest in and develop this area to its maximum potential.

We were awarded a $17Million Federal Grant to build a rail spur into the Shipping Terminal to connect the waterfront to freight. Using new technology like Rotainers™ we will safely, quietly, and efficiently load commerce for deliveries to foreign markets. Rotainers handle a wide range of dry materials, with reduced dust emissions, streamlining the cargo handling process with improved safety and increased operational efficiency.

Ensuring our Shipping Terminal operates under skilled leadership and is equipped with the right technology will pay dividends to our community resulting in a large number of living wage jobs.

The most important aspect of this development is to ensure it is free from threats to its existence. Low impact industrial ground must be provided to insulate the industrial areas so they can continue to produce income.

Whatcom County Tourism

Optimizing Public Access to the Bay from Bellingham to Fairhaven

There is an incredible opportunity to strengthen Whatcom County’s tourism, attracting visitors from all over the world to fly into our airport and support our local businesses, participate in the arts, and experience some of the best outdoor recreation the world has to offer.

The old Georgia Pacific site is ready to support mixed use development that will accommodate housing, retail, and event spaces. To improve its value we have a tremendous opportunity to connect Bellingham’s waterfront to Fairhaven’s waterfront, improving public access to Bellingham Bay and supporting commercial activity around the Bellingham Cruise Terminal while bringing new life to the Fairhaven Shipyard. Our community has long been in need of one cohesive public waterfront that connects Fairhaven to Bellingham and I intend to support this vision, marketing to cruise lines and tour boats of all sizes.

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Legal Purpose of the Port (RCW 53.04.010)

The Revised Code of Washington establishes ports to:

“Improve trade, commerce, and economic development” within the district.
Develop transportation, terminal, and other facilities to support commerce.
Promote industrial development and job creation.
Manage waterfront and maritime resources for public benefit.