KGMI News
By Tracy Ellis
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The City of Bellingham is offering the Port of Bellingham $300,000 for a homeless shelter site the city already owns.
Mayor Kelli Linville says the money would come in the form of marine trade investments.
“It would allow the port to expand the maritime industries’ infrastructure, that would allow them to attract potentially more businesses down there,” Linville says.
In exchange, the port would relinquish its option to purchase the Roeder Avenue property.
The city-owned building has five marine trade businesses that would need to be relocated to make way for the shelter.
Port Commission President Dan Robbins says the port is looking at buying the site.
“If we vote to purchase said property, we write a check to the city for $770,000, and they now have $700,000 to go and put a homeless shelter anywhere they want.”
The Port Commission plans to discuss the issue at its May 5 meeting.