The pier at Little Squalicum Park in north Bellingham Bay now has a name and could be open as a pedestrian walkway by spring 2025.
The City of Bellingham invited the public to help name the pier this summer and received more than 900 submissions. “Piery McPierface” (a nod to the British government’s infamous Boaty McBoatface) received a not-insignificant number of votes from the public, and other colorful suggestions included From Pier to Eternity, the Pier of Subdued Excitement and Pier Pressure. But practicality won out in the end, and the Bellingham City Council voted on Monday for the straightforward and simple Little Squalicum Pier.
Constructed in 1912 by the Olympic Portland Cement Company and designed to carry railcars that delivered cement products to barges moored in Bellingham Bay, the 1,200-foot-long stretch of industrial pier was donated to the city by Heidelberg Materials (previously known as Lehigh Northwest Cement Company) in November 2021.
The pier has been a top priority for the city for many years — it is a part of the Little Squalicum Park Master Plan adopted in 2010 as well as the Shoreline Master Program and the Parks and Recreation Open Space Plan. It’s envisioned as north Bellingham’s answer to the popular Taylor Dock in Fairhaven and will provide sweeping new views of the city from the bay.
“More access to our waterfront, both physical and visual, has long been a desire of the people of Bellingham,” the city wrote in an update in 2023.
On Monday, Aug. 26, the city council also approved a contract with Boss Construction for new pedestrian guardrails, grating over the existing decking, and solar- and wind-powered lighting. The city received 10 bids for the project and Boss Construction submitted a bid for $1.6 million, much lower than the engineer’s estimate of $2.3 million. The renovation will be covered by the Greenways fund.
City Parks Director Nicole Oliver told council members it was exciting to receive such interest from contractors despite the complexity of the project, which has extensive permitting requirements because of its location and because the historic structure was treated with creosote. She was also pleased the cost will come in under budget.
Construction work will begin soon and must wrap up by the end of February to protect marine life and habitat. Little Squalicum Pier is expected to open to the public by next spring.
Julia Tellman writes about civic issues and anything else that happens to cross her desk; contact her at juliatellman@cascadiadaily.com.
