Proposed project envisions combining new Blaine library with affordable housing

A project to build a new Blaine library and add affordable and market-rate housing on the top levels is being brainstormed by Kulshan Community Land Trust (KCLT), the city of Blaine and Whatcom County Library System (WCLS).

Blaine City Council unanimously approved 6-0, with councilmember Garth Baldwin absent, to authorize a feasibility study to look at options for a mixed-use library project during the May 22 council meeting. The project property is one acre of city-owned land that includes the library, a parking lot and the skate park. The city is already planning to rebuild the skate park in 2027 and is considering moving it to a new location, according to city documents.

KCLT will pay for the feasibility study using a state grant it secured, making it no cost to the project’s partners, the city and WCLS. The feasibility study could be finished by the end of the year.

City council initiated the feasibility study by approving a transfer option agreement that would allow KCLT to potentially acquire the city property, according to