FREE
Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay
April 30 - May 6, 2015
HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
BHS students debut original play, page 3
Birch Bay Drive project moving ahead
Home and Garden special section, pages 8-10
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Students redefine “senior skip day,” page 13
Race day in Blaine
By Ian Ferguson The Birch Bay Drive and Pedestrian Facility project is back on track to begin construction in late fall of 2016. The $11.5 million county project is an effort to rebuild 1.5 miles of Birch Bay Drive with a berm and natural beach profile for better pedestrian access and better flood protection. The project fell 14 months behind schedule after contract negotiations with the original design firm broke down in spring 2014. Middleton said smooth coordination with the new design firm, Environmental Science Associates based in Seattle, is part of what has allowed the project to make up for lost time. “There’s been a lot of good communication between the public works staff, the design engineers and the permitting agencies,” Middleton said. “The permitting agents have come out to meet us on site, which saves a lot of time.” Middleton presented a project update to Whatcom County councilmembers April 28. Approximately 30 percent of the overall design of the project is complete. Public works is in the process of seeking permits and acquiring right of ways (ROWs) needed for construction. “Permitting and ROW acquisition might slow us up, but right now we’re confident we can begin construction in late fall of 2016,” Middleton said. During his update, Middleton introduced a committee of Birch Bay residents interested in undergrounding utilities along Birch Bay Drive. The committee is sanctioned by the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, Middleton said. “At the last public meeting, the number one concern we heard from community members was undergrounding the utilities,” Middleton said. Burying electric, phone and other utility cables underground was once a priority for the road project, but due to high costs, a lack of funding and logistical obstacles it was removed from the scope of work. Early in proj(See Berm, page 2)
s Sailors maneuver around buoys during the Semiahmoo Bay International Regatta on September 26. The two-day event featured a distance race and a buoy race. See more photos on page 15.
Photo by Jack Kintner
City rejects construction bids for playground By Steve Guntli The Marine Park playground project is facing some setbacks, but the city is confident it will still open in time for the Fourth of July. Acting on a staff recommendation, Blaine City Council voted 7–0 on April 27 to reject two site preparation bids which were far over the budgeted amount. The city reached out to 12 contractors in the area but only received bids from Moceri Construction of Bellingham and Williamson Construction Company of Deming. The companies submitted bids
for approximately $110,000 and $113,000, respectively. The city engineer had earlier estimated site preparation would cost $60,000. Deputy community planner Alex Wenger said the city is working on cost-cutting measures and would hope to receive new bids closer to the estimate. Wenger said the city isn’t altering the size or design of the playground itself, but is looking for more economical building materials. Some items, like concrete picnic table pads and sidewalks, may be cut out of the plan and installed at a later date. Meanwhile, the playground equipment has been delivered, and is sitting in a
Springfest Art Tour highlights 35 Blaine artists Dozens of local artists will show off their wares during the Springfest Art Tour of Blaine this Mother’s Day weekend. Sponsored by Blaine Harbor Art Gallery, the Springfest event is marking its 10th anniversary. This year, 35 artists are slated to appear, displaying everything from paintings and sculptures to glass and woodcarvings. Helen Worley is one of five volunteers from Blaine Harbor Art Gallery organizing the event. She is also an artist who will have her photography on display. “We’ve got a thriving arts community here in Blaine,” she said. “Part of our mission is to market art and develop Blaine as
an artistic community.” Worley said the event this year was made possible thanks to a grant from the Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee, which paid for marketing and the banner now hanging above H Street and Peace Portal Drive. The tour is spread out over five locations in Blaine. The two largest displays will be at Semiahmoo Resort and Dakota Creek Winery. In addition to the art exhibit, Semiahmoo will also be hosting a special Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 318-2090 for reservations. Dakota Creek Winery will also feature a wine tasting to celebrate its spring wines.
Swanson’s Glass Studio at 628 Alder Street will show off the jewelry and ornaments of local artist Sharon Swanson. Bayside Treasures Studio at 9794 North Harvey Road will feature a variety of decorative garden art. An exhibit at Paso del Norte restaurant will highlight the work of Blaine Primary School students. “We really have an exciting diversity of work this year,” Worley said. The Springfest Art Tour of Blaine will take place May 9 and 10. For more information on participating artists, visit blaineharborartgallery.com.
fenced-in area near the construction site on Marine Drive. At the parks and cemetery board regular meeting on April 16, board member Angie Dixon stressed how important it was to complete the playground before the July 4 festivities. “We can’t have the park all roped off and messy on our busiest weekend of the year,” she said. Wenger said the city is still aiming for a July 1 opening for the playground, but admits it will be tight. “This setback may have cost us a number of weeks,” he said. “I’m still confident (See Park, page 2)
Online
thenorthernlight.com facebook.com/thenorthernlight
Inside
Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Coming Up . . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14