Birch Bay berm wins project of the year

OPEN HOUSE: Sun. June 4 Noon-2PM

Perfect Semiahmoo Location!

The American Public Works Association (APWA) Washington

Chapter awarded the Birch Bay berm project of the year in the environment category for projects that cost $5 million to $25 million. Whatcom County Public Works staff accepted the award

April 27 at the Greater Tacoma Center in Tacoma, according to a county press release.

Officially called the Birch Bay Drive and Pedestrian Facility Project, the 1.56-mile-long project protects the road, improves pedestrian safety and restores the beach’s natural habitat. primary suites--each a true retreat. Lower level has an abundance of space for everything you could need: home office/gym, workshop, wine cellar, entertainment space, & room for guests.

It was one of only seven award recipients in Washington state. APWA is a not-for-profit, inter national organization with more than 30,000 members involved in public works and 63 chapters in North America.

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Watch as your favorite candies are being made!

Carmel & Chocolates

Cinnamon Rolls & Coffee

C-Foam & Fudge Ice Cream & more!

Kathy Stauffer (360) 815-4718 kstauffer@windermere.com • kathystauffer.com Managing Broker/Windermere-Whatcom

From page 1 and east Blaine. Schissler said after the council meeting that while current zoning allows for the building to go up to five stories, the building is more likely to be three to four stories because a larger building requires more subsidies for affordable housing. The homes would likely include market-rate homes to help pay for the affordable homes, Schissler said.

The homes would be for firsttime home buyers who have $50,000-130,000 household incomes, KCLT executive director Dean Fearing said.

“Working people cannot afford market-price for a home,” Schissler said. “If we find enough subsidy, we might be able to help people earning $40,000 per year.”

The city decided against soliciting requests from private developers for the project because KCLT had the grant to pay for the feasibility study and the organization has a good history of securing acquisition and construction funding, according to city documents.

KCLT is a Bellingham-based nonprofit that helps people purchase homes through down payment assistance and owning the land under the home, which preserves the home’s affordability for future buyers. The land trust sets a small annual equity increase so that homeowners can earn a profit from their home, but KCLT will keep the home below market value when it’s sold. KCLT has about 140 homes in its trust and more projects being planned.

The feasibility study will also consider whether commercial spaces, in addition to the library, could be included in the project. Schissler said examples of what could be considered include a child care facility, art gallery, community meeting area, office space and parking lot.

“There is a lot of value because of the dual nature of what this accomplishes,” councilmember Kerena Higgins said. “And I don’t see another opportunity for the library coming down the pike anytime soon but this could accomplish that objective.”

Councilmember Richard May said he’s seen a similar model of affordable housing above public libraries in Vancouver, B.C.

“It works out splendidly and is an excellent thing to have right now in the court sitting like this,” May said.

The Blaine Library is a 5,400-square-foot building that was converted in 1988 from a public works garage. Friends of Blaine Library, which has been in charge of raising funds for library construction, revealed a new library design in February 2020, but progress was sidelined during the pandemic and as WCLS focused on bringing a library to Birch Bay.

WCLS board of directors supported the proposal during their May 16 meeting. WCLS asked that consideration be given to double the library’s size to 10,000 square feet or larger and include sufficient on-site public parking, a separate entrance for library delivery vehicles, potentially two electric vehicle charging stations and sound-proofing between the residences and library. The WCLS board also asked it be included in the library design and review process.

Blaine library branch manager Jonathan Jakobitz said after the meeting that he was in favor of WCLS’ request to double the library’s size to meet Blaine’s needs as it grows.

“I love the idea of this partnership. Affordable housing is desperately needed in our community and I love the idea of the library being used in a multi-use facility,” Jakobitz said. “I’m hopeful about this possibility.”

A Whale of a Place to Go! at Birch Bay

Watch as your favorite candies are being made!

Carmel & Chocolates

Cinnamon Rolls & Coffee

Springhas Sprung at Open Weekends!

C-Foam & Fudge Ice Cream & more!

Entry via east door Seating by the creek thecshop.com

Fridays 1-8pm Saturdays & Sundays 11am-8pm 4825 Alderson Rd • Birch Bay