Make a Difference Day Big Success for York Neighborhood

Bellingham’s annual Make a Difference Day was the most successful to date for the York neighborhood.

More than 70 volunteers from around the community and neighborhood, as well as students from Western Washington University, gathered at Franklin Park on Saturday, Oct. 23. to install new plants around the park. The turnout was the highest to date, said Helen Jackson, chair of the Franklin Park improvement committee.

“It was a tremendous success in every way,” said Jackson. “The energy that was brought to the park is left there to linger.”

More than 700 Pacific Northwest native plants were added to the existing landscape. The park was divided into six different areas and Jackson assigned different people to each area.

Organization and management made this the best Make a Difference Day because we learn what to do and not to do after each year, Jackson said.

Western journalism student, Brittany Cleary attended the Make a Difference Day as part of a community service project for school.

“Our group alone planted over 102 plants, and our group only consisted of five of us.” Cleary said.

Bellingham Parks and Recreation donated the most expensive plants to the park, about 100, but the Franklin Park Improvement Committee purchased the rest.

In addition to the committee’s and Parks and Recreations donation, a private family donated $1,000 toward the plants in remembrance of their deceased son.

The improvement process is an ongoing project. Franklin Park is one of two parks in the York neighborhood, so it is a priority for the residents to keep it clean and in good use.

The neighborhood has a monthly work party to help clean up the park that lasts about three hours. While planting many plants on this make a difference day was successful, the volunteers had to work hard to remove overgrown exiting plants, blackberry bushes and mulch areas to prevent weed growth.

This day was so successful because of the amount and variety of people who came to volunteer their time, Jackson said.

Rudy’s Pizza not only donated 10 pizzas but also came in early, before they opened to make them in time for the event. Also, Starbucks donated coffee for all the volunteers.

To get more information on Franklin Park and dates of upcoming work parties, visit www.yorkneighborhood.org.

Area Nine Rezone Debate

Residents of the York neighborhood in Bellingham, Wash. can soon breathe easier knowing that the historical homes along Ellis Street could be here to stay if proposed rezoning is approved at the Oct. 25 City Council meeting.

In a 2008 survey administered to York neighborhood, residents reported 96% voting in favor for York to become a historic district of Bellingham. As part of this York is an official a National Historic District. The proposed rezoning of area 9 would change the density along Ellis St from 3,000 sq. ft. per unit to 1,000 sq. ft. per unit. According to the autumn 2010 Yorker newsletter, this means fewer units could be incorporated into new structures, so that developers would have less incentive to redevelop because they can cram fewer units into the area.

As shown in the 2008 survey historical preservation for the neighborhood is important to most residents in the York so administering this rezoning would help keep the historic houses erect. Actual boundaries of area nine can be viewed at the City of Bellingham website, www.cob.org.

The York is a unique neighborhood in Bellingham because of its proximity to Western Washington University and to downtown Bellingham. Because of this, York is currently zone for industrial, commercial and residential use. This integrates renters, permanent residents, industrial buildings and chain establishments.

York Neighborhood President, Anne Mackie, and the neighborhood association board’s biggest concern is the continued restoration and condition of the old homes. Board members express that the homes along Ellis Street serve as an entrance into the historic neighborhood and large office complexes or apartment buildings would serve as a misfit.

“The zoning has not be changed in 30 years and was established during an era when old house were not valued," said Mackie. "Today, these historic homes provide affordable housing for hundreds of low to medium income residents and are part of a historical district."

Mackie is also the owner of York’s Historic Nelson’s Market.

While most residents support the new zoning initiative some voiced their positions against the rezone in the autumn 2010 York neighborhood newsletter.

“I am a York resident, small business owner and responsible landlord,” opposed York resident, Jon McGrath expressed in the autumn 2010 Yorker newsletter. “I appreciate the historic character of our neighborhood but feel strongly that preservation of historical character should never come at the expense of property rights.”

The Bellingham City Council will vote on the new rezone for York’s area nine on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. at Bellingham City Hall on Grand St.

Welcome!

Welcome to the York Neighborhood blog! This blog is a large component of my journalism reporting class at Western Washington University. As a student, this blog will help me develop my technology and writing skills while featuring a neighborhood in Bellingham, Wash. Remember that this is a student ran blog and if you are interested in contacting the official York Neighborhood Association you can visit their website at: www.yorkneighborhood.org

York Shines During Bellingham's Sunny September

Photos showcasing historic landmarks, houses and streets in the York Neighborhood of Bellingham, Wash. Photos taken on September 29, 2010.