The city of Blaine secured $392,000 in state funds that will revitalize and add amenities to two small downtown parks with water views.
The Legislature approved the funding at the end of its session last month. The money will pay for two parklets on Peace Portal Drive, at the intersections of Clark and Martin streets.
The parks were originally in the city’s downtown revitalization project that was constructed last year but were removed at the last minute because of budget constraints.
“When the state gives us money, it’s our own tax money coming back,” Blaine City Councilor Richard May said during the last meeting. “I’d like to see more of this.”
Blaine City Manager Mike Harmon said no major changes are expected to the parklets’ designs, which Cascade Engineering Group created. The City Council approved the preliminary versions in February 2024.
The Martin Street parklet, between Chada Thai and Railway Cafe, is designed to have a timber stacks play area, lawn, seating and picnic tables. Road access that has unofficially been used between the two restaurants would close, city officials have said.
The Clark Street parklet is designed to have a swing set, shelter with picnic tables and barbecue grill, lawn, signage and additional plantings.
Construction is anticipated next spring, but Harmon said that timeline could change based on any funding parameters that the state sets. Construction should take no more than three months, he said, and significant road closures aren’t expected.
The parks were taken out of the downtown revitalization project last May, just before contractors were to break ground last summer.
The 11th-hour change came from the City Council, which voiced concerns as fewer Canadian shoppers were hurting an already tight city budget. Removing the parklets was the latest iteration of a winding project journey filled with council delays and project cuts since the city solicited proposals in 2022.
The downtown revitalization project, which cost over $3 million, began last July and ended in December on the main stretch of Peace Portal Drive in downtown. The project evolved from including beautification projects, like the parklets, to mostly essential improvements, including Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades, replacing trees buckling the sidewalks, new sidewalks and electrical work.
Harmon said the addition of the parklets will create more areas for people to relax as the city works to bring more residents and customers to the downtown core.
“The parklets will preserve the water views for perpetuity,” Harmon said, “and provide an inviting place for residents and visitors to stop and enjoy Blaine, while being within walking distance of our downtown shops and restaurants.”
