City Center

The City Center Neighborhood is the dominant cultural, civic, and financial center of Bellingham.

The City Center is a collection of smaller "neighborhoods," each of which has distinct features that reflect historical land uses, topography and geographic location. For example, the Old Town area was shaped by the port of Bellingham, while the Downtown Core has a long history as the retail and commerce center of Bellingham. Railroad Avenue has a unique history as well, which arises from its former use as a rail line through downtown Bellingham.

The Waterfront District still supports industrial uses and commercial fishing today. It includes Squalicum Harbor Marina, Zuanich Point Park as well as commercial/industrial areas primarily managed by the Port of Bellingham. The City and the Port are currently redeveloping 137 industrial waterfront acres acquired by the Port with homes, shops, offices and light industry, as well as parks and promenades, a healthy shoreline habitat along Bellingham Bay, and a new marina.