# Design Review Board Guides Downtown Development at Unity Street and Old Town The September 2nd Design Review Board meeting showcased Bellingham's evolving downtown landscape, with two significant affordable housing and mixed-use projects advancing through the city's design review process. Both projects represent crucial steps toward addressing the community's housing needs while preserving the character of historic neighborhoods. ## The Bellingham Housing Authority's Unity Street Vision Neil McCarthy of RMC Architects presented plans for a four-story, 65-unit affordable housing development at 202 Unity Street, where the Housing Authority has maintained offices for over thirty years. The $12-million-plus project, already supported by Bellingham's Home Fund, represents a thoughtful response to the city's housing crisis. "We're trying to provide much-needed housing in the downtown area," McCarthy explained, describing how the project acknowledges the unique topographical features that define this corner of downtown. "There's a spine that historically would have gone through here," he noted, pointing to the dramatic grade changes around Whatcom Creek and the elevated areas behind Mount Baker Theater. The design team identified five key site observations that shaped their approach: the area's unique topography, adjacency to civic and cultural landmarks, opportunities for healthy living, the neighborhood's transitional character, and the prominence of the corner location. These observations informed their response to the city's urban village design guidelines. The building's L-shaped configuration responds to the sloping topography, with parking tucked underneath and a prominent corner element facing the intersection. McCarthy emphasized the project's role in setting precedent for future development: "We'll be leading the way with a precedent, setting a precedent at this particular area." Board Chair Ryan Van Straten questioned the treatment of residential units along Unity Street, particularly privacy considerations. McCarthy explained their approach: "We've stepped the building back a little bit along that side. And we will be looking at landscaping and screening in order to provide privacy. That can be a really awkward connection if you don't treat it carefully." The exposed foundation along Flora Street, where the site drops significantly, drew particular attention. McCarthy outlined their strategy: "If we pull back from that sidewalk, we have the ability to actually adjust the grade up to the building, so we can start to cover some of that foundation." The team also plans to underground high-voltage power lines currently strung above the sidewalk. Member Coby Jones focused on the stairwell tower that will face Flora Street traffic coming downtown: "That's the way I drive, that way. So that's the stairwell I see... that's the one I would focus on." McCarthy confirmed they're considering a mural for the corner element and would ensure the stairwell is animated with texture and potentially windows. ## Public Support with Material Concerns Two community members offered supportive testimony. The first praised the project's contribution to downtown's "urban room" and its ideal location for low-car living: "If there's any place to have approximately one parking space for every three units, this is the place to do that... a lot of the people here probably won't be able to afford a car, and here, and in this location, they won't have to." However, they expressed concern about corrugated metal siding shown in some renderings: "I would be inclined against that particular material... personally, I would be inclined against that material choice, especially if it's that color." They strongly supported the wood-textured materials and encouraged native plantings along Flora Street. Steen Nelson from Unity Care Northwest, the project's northern neighbor, sought clarification about the north elevation. McCarthy explained the constraints of building against the property line: "We won't have many opportunities to get any fenestration in there, any glazing or any windows. We'll have to rely on texture." Board member Maggie Bates inquired about fire code restrictions for materials on the property line. McCarthy clarified that exterior fire codes focus on preventing fire spread from inside to outside, and noted that the wood-looking material is actually aluminum cladding with faux wood texture for durability. ## Old Town's Ambitious Mixed-Use Development The second project represents an even larger intervention in Bellingham's historic Old Town. Ali Taysi of AVT Consulting presented plans for a six-story mixed-use building with 134 residential units, plus three live-work townhouses, at 1315 D Street. The project occupies three-quarters of a block and represents the second phase of a broader Old Town redevelopment effort. "This is what we'll call Phase 2, or Block 2," Taysi explained. "We're topping that building out right now," he said, referring to the first building under construction across D Street that provides context for the scale of development. The project's most sensitive aspect involves its relationship to the Whatcom County Territorial Courthouse, Washington's oldest brick building. A 40-foot height restriction along the western portion protects views of the historic structure. The design team responded by creating three-story townhouses in that zone rather than extending the apartment building. "Initially, the design included an extension of the apartment building that just kind of stepped down in the roofline, but after iterating that design a number of times, it just felt better to have a little bit different product there," Taysi explained. The townhouses will feature live-work spaces with commercial components at street level and residential above. The project integrates with an ambitious streetscape master plan. Holly Street will maintain significant commercial glazing, while Astor Street will become a curbless, elevated pedestrian environment. "Astor Street from E to C... could effectively be converted into a pedestrian-oriented environment for events or other things in the future," Taysi described. ## Navigating Scale and Historic Preservation The courthouse relationship sparked significant board discussion. Board member Maggie Bates asked about visual connections: "Any comments on how that interaction is... Any materials from the courthouse that you're going to carry over?" Designer Colin Fuller confirmed brick would provide material continuity, but acknowledged the challenge: "The issue is we can't really connect the two, because the current owner has it fully fenced. I mean, it's private." Taysi elaborated on the scale challenge: "It's really difficult because it's so small, and it's got this funky, like, pitched roof, which is atypical for a building that's like brick like that. Most of these historic buildings have a parapet. And this one's got a weird, like, almost like a 6-12 pitch." Chair Van Straten sympathized: "I think that's so difficult. You gotta take this big, giant building and model it after this tiny little building next to it. It's gonna look like a caricature of it." The solution involved creating breathing room around the courthouse and allowing its uniqueness to stand out. Taysi referenced downtown Vancouver's historic churches surrounded by modern towers: "It's cool-looking because it's cool-looking, not because of what's around it. It's almost like different because it's got this other stuff all around it." ## Community Connections and Public Realm Board member Robert Wright pressed for greater community connectivity, noting the history of fences and barriers in the area. "I think the hope is that the rebirth of this area comes with less fences and barriers," he said, advocating for mid-block pedestrian connections. Property owner Fred Hines acknowledged the goal while explaining practical constraints: "In a perfect world, right, we wouldn't need any fences... but figuring out practically what we can do to create interconnectedness between a couple private buildings" remains challenging. The design includes a private walkway for residents that could potentially connect to the museum plaza in the future. Van Straten noted: "The way you're doing it now is set up easily to be able to gain access to the neighboring property if the two of you as owners decide to do that in the future." ## Trash Enclosure and Design Details Both projects grappled with screening utility functions. For the Old Town project, the refuse enclosure's location adjacent to the historic courthouse drew board attention. Van Straten insisted: "I think it needs to be a solid wall. Don't do a screen fence there, please." Wright expanded: "It feels like it almost wants to present as a neighboring building rather than a structure... it might be a good opportunity to try to transition between that three-story townhouse and the courthouse." Public commenter Myles Silverman supported the overall design while acknowledging the scale transition challenge: "The difference in scale there is pretty much inevitable and somewhat awkward." He suggested thinking of the courthouse and trolley as "furniture" with the six-story building providing a "picture framing" backdrop. ## Looking Toward Construction Both projects received generally supportive feedback from the board. For the Unity Street project, Van Straten summarized: "I like where you're going with all of this. I like that you're thinking about the landscaping on both sides... I think you're on the right track." The Old Town project earned similar praise. Van Straten concluded: "Like you said before, taking a lot of cues from the neighboring building has already gone through this process. I think everything's looking great." Both projects now advance toward full design review applications, representing significant additions to Bellingham's affordable housing stock and downtown vibrancy. The Unity Street project could begin construction by late summer 2026 if financing is secured, while the Old Town development continues the transformation of a historically underutilized area into a vibrant residential neighborhood. As these projects move forward, they embody the ongoing challenge of balancing growth with character preservation, housing needs with design quality, and private development with public benefit that defines Bellingham's evolving urban landscape.

**Q:** What is the primary purpose of an Early Design Guidance meeting? **A:** To provide preliminary feedback to applicants before formal design review application submission, helping ensure projects meet design guidelines. **Q:** How many affordable housing units are proposed for the Unity Street project? **A:** 65 units in a 4-story building. **Q:** Which board member had to recuse themselves from the first agenda item? **A:** Robert Wright, because his firm RMC Architects is the applicant for the Unity Street project. **Q:** What unique street design feature is proposed for Astor Street in the D Street project? **A:** A curbless design where the street and sidewalk are at the same level to create a pedestrian-friendly environment. **Q:** What is the total number of residential units proposed in the D Street mixed-use project? **A:** 134 residential units in the 6-story building, plus three 3-story townhouses. **Q:** What historic building is adjacent to the D Street project site? **A:** The Whatcom County Territorial Courthouse, which is the state's oldest brick building. **Q:** What organization is developing the Unity Street affordable housing project? **A:** Bellingham Housing Authority (BHA). **Q:** What type of parking arrangement was discussed for the D Street project? **A:** Tandem parking spaces where vehicles are arranged in a line. **Q:** What was the main formal recommendation the board made for the D Street project? **A:** To install a solid wall to screen the refuse area from the street. **Q:** What design principle did public commenters mention for the Unity Street project? **A:** CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) to improve neighborhood safety through good design. **Q:** How many stories will the townhouses be in the D Street project? **A:** 3 stories each. **Q:** What street will the commercial uses face in the D Street project? **A:** West Holly Street. **Q:** What material did a public commenter prefer over corrugated metal? **A:** Wood-look materials or actual wood. **Q:** What type of plants did a public commenter suggest for landscaping? **A:** Native plants rather than lawns and Himalayan blackberries. **Q:** How many parking spaces are proposed for the Unity Street project? **A:** 20 surface and under-building vehicle parking spaces. **Q:** What funding source was mentioned for the Unity Street project? **A:** Bellingham's Home Fund, with additional county and state financing being sought. **Q:** Which street has grade changes that were discussed for the Unity Street project? **A:** Flora Street, where the building will need to address the sloping terrain. **Q:** What time did the meeting adjourn? **A:** 4:46 PM. ---