TRESTLE RENOVATION SET TO BEGIN SEPT. 2010

BELLINGHAM – Renovations in the Fairhaven community could affect foot traffic from Bellingham’s Boulevard Park beginning Labor Day weekend.

The Pattle Point Trestle will be closed for 4-6 months starting Sept. 6 for a series of extensive renovations. The project will include widening the existing walkway to 12 feet, as well as adding a new walking surface, new handrails, and new benches. Business owners and patrons have expressed mixed feelings over the trestle’s reconstruction.

Lori Wetzel, chief of Book Fare Cafe was surprised to hear about the closure of the trestle.

“It will affect my business negatively,” Wetzel said. “I have ladies that walk that pathway every week… they have since I bought this restaurant.”

Despite the inconvenient for some, some citizens see the benefits outweighing the costs.

Some say the existing trestle is too dangerous

Bill Gregory, 57, a long time Bellingham resident and frequent user of the Pattle Point Trestle, is concerned with interaction between bikers and walkers on the existing structure; he says it’s too narrow.

“Bikes are absolutely dangerous [on the trestle],” Gregory said. “A dude came flying down the dock at least 20 mph, iPod in, and almost took out a little kid.”

Sheila Brillson, another Belingham citizen who frequents the trestle, said she has seen what renovations like this can do to a city. She served as mayor of Michigan City, Indiana for 15 years, and indicated that a temporary closure might be forgotten after the renovation is complete.

“Short term loss, Long term gain” Brillson said.

Environmental upgrade looks promising

The city of Bellingham is also taking into account the environmental consequences of this development. Fiberglass decking will be incorporated into the dock to protect habitat for native species such as eelgrass and surf smelt, according to the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department.

Thomas Owen, 22, a student at Whatcom Community College, supports what Bellingham is doing environmentally with the renovation.

“Its nice to see a progressive community like Bellingham not only talk about environmental conservation and development, but act upon it” Owen said.

Funding for this project was approved by the city in 2006 under the Greenway Levy III and will cost $1.5 million, according to the City of Bellingham website.

Notice signs have been posted at Taylor Dock and Boulevard Park to inform the public of the upcoming renovation as well.

The 541-foot-trestle begins on the SW side of Boulevard Park and continues to meet Taylor Avenue Dock, which connects to Taylor Avenue in Fairhaven.

Taylor Avenue dock was originally constructed between 1890 and 1902 as an industrial dock. It was reopened and dedicated in Sept. 2004.