News from around Blaine

The former city hall building in downtown Blaine.

The Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee (BTAC) is offering grants to support events and festivals that increase the number of visitors to Blaine and result in more overnight stays.

Grant funds are allowed to be used for the marketing and operation of events and festivals that take place in 2020 within city limits and are designed to attract tourists. In order to be funded, an event or festival “must show fundraising efforts in addition to receiving grant funding and must have a goal of becoming self-supporting,” read a June 24 press release from the city of Blaine.

Interested applicants are required to complete a BTAC grant application form and submit it to the city clerk by Friday, July 26 at 4 p.m. Grant application forms are available at Blaine City Hall, 435 Martin Street, Suite 3000. Questions about the 2020 grant program can be directed to Deborah Harger at dharger@cityofblaine.com or 360/543-9982.

BTAC’s annual grant program is supported by the lodging tax that is paid by guests who stay in Blaine’s hotels and motels. For the 2019 cycle, $89,000 was awarded for events and activities that enhance tourism within Blaine.

H Street will be closed to all traffic between Harrison Avenue and Mitchell Avenue from Monday, July 8 through Friday, July 12. The closure will allow Williamson Construction, under contract with the city of Blaine, to reconstruct H Street between the I-5 overpass and 6th Street.

As part of the project, the contractor will also be updating all the crosswalk ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements between 6th Street and SR-543. All work is expected to be completed in the month of July. Throughout construction, drivers can anticipate intermittent detours and delays.

“We are thrilled we can address these important safety improvements while school is out of session,” said Ravyn Whitewolf, Blaine’s public works director, who noted that the project is being funded using state grant money, Transportation Benefit District funds and assistance from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board.

Drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians encountering the construction area are encouraged to avoid the area if possible, and are asked to be patient, proceed with caution, follow all traffic signs and obey flaggers at all times. Dates, times and work locations are subject to change due to inclement weather, work phasing and last-minute changes in work schedules.

The city of Blaine is seeking to declare the old city hall building as surplus property, so that it can be sold and redeveloped into a contributing part of the city’s downtown. As part of this process, a public hearing will be held on Monday, July 8 at 6 p.m. in the city council chambers at Blaine City Hall, 435 Martin Street. Interested parties are encouraged to offer testimony at the public hearing. Any comments or questions should be directed to city manager Michael Jones at mjones@cityofblaine.com or 360/332-8311.

The former city hall building, located at 344 H Street, was officially closed in 2012. Since that time, the city has slowly decommissioned the building and disposed of city property located inside. “It’s been a long process decommissioning old city hall, building replacement facilities and moving all our records and miscellaneous functions to other spots,” said Jones. “Now that we are reaching the end of the process, we all look forward to seeing the old city hall property once again become a contributing part of our downtown. I’m interested to see the options that come forward when we offer the property for sale.”

A public hearing is required to declare the building surplus property because its value exceeds $50,000. If the city later decides to sell the building, any purchase and sale agreement must be approved by city council in open public session.