Bellingham's New Solar Array, Old Town Revival, and Transportation Commission Applications - Bellingham Local Frequency for May 8, 2025

Good morning, this is your Bellingham Local Frequency for Thursday, May 8th, 2025.

We are waking up to some good news for Bellingham’s greener future. The city has just received a one point seven million dollar grant to build a new community solar array. This means more clean, locally produced energy and revenue from the project will directly fund climate initiatives right here in town, helping us stay on the cutting edge of sustainability.

Meanwhile, big changes are coming to the heart of Bellingham. Construction has kicked off on an ambitious eight-block development in Old Town, which will bring around eight hundred new mixed-income homes over the next decade. City officials hope this new neighborhood will help ease our housing crunch and bring new energy to an area rich with history and potential.

Commuters, keep an eye on your routes today. There are daily lane closures scheduled on I-5 through Thursday as crews work on fish passage replacement projects and inspect bridges. Expect delays, especially south of town and on Slater Road between eight a.m. and one p.m. And if you usually travel Chuckanut Drive, remember that the road remains closed due to a rockslide with no clear reopening date yet, so plan your detours accordingly. On the brighter side, Guide Meridian is back to normal after a brief closure from a dropped load earlier this morning.

For those eager to have their voice heard, the city is inviting applications for its Transportation Commission. This is a chance to help shape how we all get around, from bus routes to bike lanes to future street projects. If you have ideas or expertise to share, now’s your opportunity to get involved.

Tonight, if you care about Lake Whatcom’s forests and water quality, head over to Silver Beach Elementary from six thirty to eight thirty for a community meeting on the first ever Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan. City and county leaders want your input on how best to protect over thirteen thousand acres of local forest for future generations. If you can’t make it in person, you can learn more and submit feedback online.

Out and about today, why not check out one of the May Mondays in Maritime events downtown, supporting our local waterfront businesses and enjoying some springtime by the bay. Or, if you are looking to get more involved civically, groups like Swing Left Bellingham welcome new members at their grassroots efforts for local and national causes.

That’s a wrap on local news and happenings in Bellingham today. This has been Bellingham Local Frequency. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates.