Project Timeline

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See where we have been and what we are up to next.

The Bellingham Plan officially kicked off in July 2023. The project is divided into four phases. Each phase of the project will include opportunities for engagement with the broader community alongside technical work completed by City staff. Staff will compile summary reports after each phase, so check this page often to see what we have been up to so far and what is up next!


202320242025
Phase 1
Vision & Foundation		Phase 2
Growth Approach		Phase 3
Draft Review		Phase 4
Legislative Adoption


  • Project awareness + relationship building
  • Broad engagement: Visioning + Values
  • Listening sessions
  • Identification of conflicting issues


  • Focused engagement on identified issues
  • Round table discussions
  • Growth approach comparison

  • Review of draft language
  • Public open houses
  • Board & Commission feedback

  • Public comment
  • Planning Commission Recommendation
  • City Council Adoption

*Current phase

Phase 1 Events, Presentations and Activities:

  • Northwest Tune-Up Bike Festival
  • Downtown Sounds
  • Elizabeth Park and Boulevard Park Summer Concerts
  • Birchwood International Market
  • Noisy Waters Festival
  • Sunrise Rotary Club
  • Bellingham Farmers Market
  • Virtual Public Meeting
  • Public Open House at Options High School
  • Whatcom Housing Week
  • SeaFeast Festival
  • WWU Urban Planning Club
  • Association of WA Realtors
  • WWU Open House in Viking Union
  • Building Industry Association
  • Future Problem Solvers (7th & 8th graders at Fairhaven Middle School)
  • Bellingham High School Civics Classes
  • Sunnyland NH Association
  • Rotary Club "Future Bellingham" Presentation
  • Birchwood Elementary School
  • Housing Preference Statistically Valid Survey
  • Vision Survey
  • Student Survey
  • Open House Online Activities
  • Scavenger Hunt Online Activity

Phase 2 Events, Presentations and Activities:

Bellingham Plan Open House Events

  • February 22: Community Vision
  • March 6: Vibrant, Equitable and Welcoming Community
  • April 16: Housing Affordability
  • May 6: Student Event at Western
  • May 15: Economic Vitality
  • 23 de Mayo: El Evento de Puertas Abiertas del Plan Bellingham en Español/May 23: The Bellingham Plan Open House for the Spanish-speaking Community
  • June 4: Housing Types and Neighborhoods
  • July 17: How We Will Grow

Phase 3 Events, Presentations and Activities:

Bellingham Plan Open House Events to Review Proposed Chapter Summaries

  • November 14 at Western Washington University (daytime)
  • November 14 at Options High School (evening)
  • November 20 at Cordata Park Pavillion (evening)

To see more information related to these events, visit our Past Events page.

See where we have been and what we are up to next.

The Bellingham Plan officially kicked off in July 2023. The project is divided into four phases. Each phase of the project will include opportunities for engagement with the broader community alongside technical work completed by City staff. Staff will compile summary reports after each phase, so check this page often to see what we have been up to so far and what is up next!


202320242025
Phase 1
Vision & Foundation		Phase 2
Growth Approach		Phase 3
Draft Review		Phase 4
Legislative Adoption


  • Project awareness + relationship building
  • Broad engagement: Visioning + Values
  • Listening sessions
  • Identification of conflicting issues


  • Focused engagement on identified issues
  • Round table discussions
  • Growth approach comparison

  • Review of draft language
  • Public open houses
  • Board & Commission feedback

  • Public comment
  • Planning Commission Recommendation
  • City Council Adoption

*Current phase

Phase 1 Events, Presentations and Activities:

  • Northwest Tune-Up Bike Festival
  • Downtown Sounds
  • Elizabeth Park and Boulevard Park Summer Concerts
  • Birchwood International Market
  • Noisy Waters Festival
  • Sunrise Rotary Club
  • Bellingham Farmers Market
  • Virtual Public Meeting
  • Public Open House at Options High School
  • Whatcom Housing Week
  • SeaFeast Festival
  • WWU Urban Planning Club
  • Association of WA Realtors
  • WWU Open House in Viking Union
  • Building Industry Association
  • Future Problem Solvers (7th & 8th graders at Fairhaven Middle School)
  • Bellingham High School Civics Classes
  • Sunnyland NH Association
  • Rotary Club "Future Bellingham" Presentation
  • Birchwood Elementary School
  • Housing Preference Statistically Valid Survey
  • Vision Survey
  • Student Survey
  • Open House Online Activities
  • Scavenger Hunt Online Activity

Phase 2 Events, Presentations and Activities:

Bellingham Plan Open House Events

  • February 22: Community Vision
  • March 6: Vibrant, Equitable and Welcoming Community
  • April 16: Housing Affordability
  • May 6: Student Event at Western
  • May 15: Economic Vitality
  • 23 de Mayo: El Evento de Puertas Abiertas del Plan Bellingham en Español/May 23: The Bellingham Plan Open House for the Spanish-speaking Community
  • June 4: Housing Types and Neighborhoods
  • July 17: How We Will Grow

Phase 3 Events, Presentations and Activities:

Bellingham Plan Open House Events to Review Proposed Chapter Summaries

  • November 14 at Western Washington University (daytime)
  • November 14 at Options High School (evening)
  • November 20 at Cordata Park Pavillion (evening)

To see more information related to these events, visit our Past Events page.

Page last updated: 23 Jan 2025, 09:33 AM