The City of Bellingham is accepting proposals for how to reclaim a component of the digester building as a centerpiece in the planned Whatcom Waterway park.

The park is scheduled to open next year as part of the waterfront redevelopment project. Planners have 33 acres of the waterfront site earmarked for it, and hope it will give downtown Bellingham more convenient recreational access to the water.

Work on the Bellingham Waterfront seemed to be accelerating this year with the demolition of the digester building this winter, and renovation of the grainery building underway now.

One part of the digest building that remains is a 30-foot diameter ball that is visible from many different parts of town. The feature, called the “acid ball,” was once a container for the potent chemicals used in papermaking. Planners hope the feature will inspire creativity among Bellingham’s vibrant community of artists, and an iconic piece of industrial art will result.

Bellingham has committed to move and clean the acid ball, and the city’s One Percent for the Arts program will fund the reclamation.

Proposals are due by October 3, so get your best idea ready!

January 3, 2017

Jeff Jewell

December 30, 2016

Matt Mullett

December 26, 2016

Todd Elsworth

December 23, 2016

Corrinne Sande

December 21, 2016

Downtown Improvement Gardens

December 17, 2016

San Juan Airlines

December 15, 2016

Holiday Classic

December 9, 2016

Baker Beacon Rally