# A Vision Takes Shape: Tourism Commission Charts Downtown Activation and Strategic Path Forward The Bellingham Tourism Commission gathered on November 26, 2024, for a pivotal meeting that would shape the city's downtown activation efforts and establish a framework for strategic tourism development. Meeting in the Mayor's Boardroom with both in-person and virtual participation, commissioners tackled two major funding decisions while setting the stage for long-term planning initiatives. Chair Peter Frazier called the meeting to order at 3:30 PM, with a notably strong turnout including Tourism Commission members, LTAC representatives, and city staff. The hybrid format allowed for broad participation, with Council Representative Hollie Huthman joining virtually after a late-running meeting. ## Coast Salish Interactive Mural: A Cultural Cornerstone The meeting's centerpiece was the presentation of jury recommendations for downtown activation and beautification projects, with Planning staff member Darby presenting findings from the second round of proposals. Twenty-seven applications had been submitted, demonstrating robust community interest in downtown enhancement. The unanimous top choice from the jury was a proposal from Children of the Setting Sun Productions for a Coast Salish Interactive Mural project. The ambitious $250,000 proposal, recommended for $160,000 in lodging tax funding, would transform the alley adjacent to their new space at the former Mine Port Museum location on Holly Street. "This was the only one that was a unanimous number one pick from all of the jurors," Darby explained, describing a multi-faceted project that would include two painted murals from indigenous artists, projection mapping technology, and an educational component with a children's programming wall. The excitement was palpable among commissioners. Craig Jewell, whose building borders the target alley, provided enthusiastic endorsement: "I just wanted to say real quick that both coast salish and Paperwell have had meetings with myself. Because this goes on along the alley that's adjacent to my building, and they've shown nothing but like they're going to do some crazy things if this comes through, and I'm beyond excited about it." Kevin Coleman echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the cultural significance: "I also want to resonate with what Craig just said. I know some of these artists personally, and the opportunity for me to see more indigenous art and more collaborations with our local arts and culture community is huge right now." The project represents a strategic collaboration with Paper Whale, which had received $100,000 in the previous funding round for alley activation. Rather than spreading impact across multiple locations, the jury recommended concentrating resources for maximum effect in a single alley destination. Nick Kelly captured the broader significance of the project: "When you travel to other places, and you see the celebration of native people, even though there's tons of bad things that, of course, happened in the past. But you I don't feel that at all about Bellingham, and if we can help turn the tide to that, I think it's the right thing to do, and and even that I still think this is the most exciting project on top of that." Council Representative Hollie Huthman shared her enthusiasm for supporting indigenous arts through municipal channels: "One of the things that I was hoping to do is somebody into the arts and music around here getting on getting into city government was encouraging more of exactly this, and I am really excited to be a part of being able to at least people in person saying yes to this happening." ## Arts Collaboration and Community Events Two additional projects received funding recommendations. The Pickford Film Center and Bellingham Symphony Orchestra proposed a collaborative event for August 2025, featuring silent films with live orchestral accompaniment on Bay Street. The $25,080 request raised questions about cost-effectiveness for a one-day event. Chair Peter Frazier asked the jury panel: "$25,000 for a 1 day event? How did you weigh that against some of the other proposals that were multi-day, just as far as impact to for our dollars?" Nick Kelly defended the choice: "I felt like in our discussion, we were actually seeing this one is having more impact per dollar than a lot of the other ones that we were considering. I think we're almost using that as this one a little bit as a baseline and some of the other discussions about other ones." The third recommended project came from Make.Shift Art Space, proposing a radio history celebration called "KZAX Presents: Radio Forever." The jury recommended increasing their $38,500 request to $50,000 to ensure adequate artist compensation. Hollie Huthman praised Make.Shift's track record: "Being very familiar with makeshift they can stretch a dollar, so very well, this will be money, that is, every penny is is stretched so it's a it's a scrappy little organization... it's an organization that's been around over 10 years at this point. But and has always operated on a very small budget so. but has done a lot with that very small budget." The total lodging tax allocation for the three projects came to $235,080. Christine Jenkins moved to approve the recommendations, with Nick Kelly seconding. The motion passed unanimously, sending the proposals to City Council for final approval on December 9. ## Signature Event Selection Process The LTAC portion of the meeting included deliberation on signature event grant applications for 2026. Stephanie Morrell recused herself as an applicant, and scoring discrepancies required real-time corrections during the meeting. The top two applications emerged as Artist Home and All Night Ball in Bellingham, with very close scores. Rather than making an immediate decision, LTAC members opted for a more thorough evaluation process. Nick Kelly explained his perspective on the ranking system: "I'm probably the most ignorant for this sort of thing in the group. And so I'm putting, you know, some of my ignorant thinking in there, and it's really helpful for me to hear the rest of the room... the conversations lots of times help me fill out my ignorance." Christine Jenkins noted the close competition: "There were 2 very clear for me. Top ranked. The remainder were kind of point differentiation of up to 30 to up to 50 point difference from 100. So like top 2 were so close in terms of scoring." The committee decided to invite both top applicants for presentations and Q&A sessions at the January meeting. Marc Blake moved to formalize this approach, with Nick Kelly seconding. The motion passed unanimously. ## Strategic Planning and Tourism Advocacy The full Tourism Commission reconvened to discuss forming a strategic planning subcommittee. Tara Sundin explained that she had drafted an updated strategic plan document during a recent weekend, moving beyond the limited progress from their October planning session. "I think I had higher hopes for that session than what ended up happening," Sundin acknowledged. "And so I just had a free weekend and decided to start writing it myself." The proposed subcommittee would work through the draft document to avoid "wordsmithing with a large body." Multiple commissioners volunteered, including Todd Elsworth, Peter Frazier, Dylan Deane-Boyle, Marc Blake, Craig Jewell, and Kevin Coleman. Chair Frazier thanked Sundin for the initiative: "Thank you so much for taking a weekend to do that... That's great. My job." ## Pickleball Facility Advocacy The meeting took an unexpected turn when discussion moved to advocacy for community recreation facilities. Tara Sundin had read about a proposed indoor pickleball facility being considered by the Port of Bellingham. Chair Frazier, who had attended the port meeting, provided enthusiastic details: "It really got me thinking... It is exactly what we've been talking about wanting is more indoor space... he is dedicated to free access for people under 18. So that's pretty spectacular." The proposal included 17 indoor courts, outdoor courts, tournament capabilities, a gym, and pro shop. Frazier emphasized the tourism potential: "He spoke very clearly about the tournaments that could easily be cited here in Bellingham that have nowhere else to go." Craig Jewell's support was emphatic: "Pickleball will bring so many people into this town. It's fucking insane like. It's the biggest sport." Chair Frazier noted: "There is the headline." The commission moved quickly to support the facility. Todd Elsworth moved to draft a letter of support to the Port of Bellingham Commissioners, contingent on mayoral approval. Christine Jenkins seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. ## Legislative Updates and Western Washington University Dylan Deane-Boyle provided updates on state legislative priorities for the upcoming session. The State of Washington Tourism office would pursue sustainable funding through an industry self-assessment model similar to California's approach. "It would be a self assessment from those tourism related businesses to collect an amount and then provide that back for State tourism promotion purposes," Deane-Boyle explained. The commission also discussed supporting increased state funding for Western Washington University. Chair Frazier reflected on the university's tourism impact: "I can't tell you how many airbnb guests we've had over the last 12 years that we're here to visit Western. I mean, it's huge, huge." ## Civic Athletic Complex and Community Recreation Commission members who had attended the Civic Athletic Complex Master Plan open house encouraged continued engagement with that planning process. The discussion highlighted ongoing needs for indoor recreation space and tournament-capable facilities. Todd Elsworth elaborated on the timeline and opportunities: "It's probably 6, 7 years before that thing actually pops up because they have to build schools, use it as a swing school and everything else. But I think right now... they said, You know which one do you like the most? And then what needs to be included?" The conversation reinforced themes around tourism-generating recreational infrastructure that had emerged throughout the meeting. ## Commission Transitions and Appreciation The meeting included recognition of commission transitions, with Marc Blake and Sara Holliday receiving reappointments. A thank you card circulated for Kelly Hart, who was stepping down after many years of service. Staff noted that Hart had served 16-18 years on the commission, with her departure part of the Mayor's effort to bring new volunteers into advisory roles. ## Moving Forward The November 26 meeting demonstrated the Tourism Commission's evolution toward more strategic thinking and advocacy. Beyond traditional grant-making, commissioners engaged with broader community development issues while maintaining focus on tourism impact. The approved downtown activation projects promise to enhance Bellingham's cultural landscape and visitor appeal. The Coast Salish Interactive Mural, in particular, represents a significant investment in indigenous arts and downtown transformation. January's meeting will feature presentations from signature event finalists, continuing the commission's methodical approach to major funding decisions. Meanwhile, the strategic planning subcommittee will work to establish clearer direction for tourism development. Chair Frazier closed the meeting with gratitude: "That was a good meeting got a lot done. Thank you all for your volunteering. It's that's how this world goes around." The commission adjourned at 4:56 PM, having set multiple initiatives in motion while demonstrating growing confidence in its advocacy role for tourism-related community development.