Can Homeless And Condo Owners Mix?

Posted by: Tim Halbur

11 November 2008 - 6:00am

The Old Town neighborhood of Bellingham, WA, is a hangout for the homeless. The city plans to revitalize the area with new condo buildings, but locals fear that new residents won't mix well with the current ones.

"The City Council in March approved the Old Town plan, which calls for adding between 860 and 1,120 housing units and up to 400,000 square feet of commercial space by 2022.

The city already has invested about $8 million in local, state and federal money in Old Town, and it has committed to millions more. Money has been spent on environmental restoration of Whatcom Creek and improvements to Maritime Heritage Park and Holly and Central streets.

The city is now waiting for redevelopment to happen.

takeholders disagree on how a visible homeless population will affect those efforts.

Developer Fred Bovenkamp is optimistic that redevelopment can happen with the homeless there. He owns land and is planning projects in or near Old Town. 'I would walk that area any time of the day or night and not feel unsafe,' he said."

Full Story: Will Bellingham homeless, condo owners co-exist?

Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer, November 9, 2008