E-Mail
Print
tool name
close
tool goes here
COLUMBIA: A home for history and beauty
 |
| Elizabeth Park offers an attractive incentive for those living in the Columbia neighborhood. PHILIP A. DWYER HERALD PHOTO
|
Kira Millage
The second oldest neighborhood in Bellingham, the Columbia neighborhood is a quiet, mostly residential haven. Situated on a bluff above Bellingham Bay, the neighborhood boasts several tree-lined streets, turn-of-the-century homes and multiple parks.
The portion of the neighborhood nearest the bay includes many homes recognized by the Eldridge Historical Society. Plaques bearing the names of original owners and years the homes were built hang by the front doors of many of these homes. The northern portion of the neighborhood consists of wider streets and newer developments, mostly from the mid-1900s.
Columbia Elementary School sits in the middle of the neighborhood, serving the many children in the family-friendly community. Elizabeth Park covers two city blocks and has stately trees, a restored water fountain, tennis courts, a playground, and large, open grassy areas. A gazebo in the park hosts several concerts during the summer months. The smaller Carl Lobe and Lorraine Ellis Parks also offer playgrounds and lawns.
Shopping areas are located primarily on Northwest Avenue and Elm Street, offering furniture and convenience stores, a motel, restaurants and other independent businesses. More shopping is available on the edges of the neighborhood along Meridian and Broadway.
Average age: 33.5 Housing units: 1,668 Assessed median home value: $110,173 Median home size: 1,180 square feet Schools: Columbia/Parkview Elementary, Shuksan/Whatcom Middle School, Bellingham High School Shopping: Shops, restaurants and offices cluster along Meridian Street, Broadway and Northwest Avenue. Albertson's and Haggen are nearest major grocers Parks: Elizabeth, Lorraine Ellis, Carl Lobe, Fountain Square, Peabody Plaza Mayor's Advisory Committee member: Vacant On the Web: www.columbianeighborhood.org City Council member: Bob Ryan Police calls in 2003: 1,575 Residential burglaries: 42 Vehicle prowls: 93 Population of neighborhood: 3,733
KAREN DUIM Age: 37
Lives on: Victor Street
Lived here: 16 years
Lives with: Husband, two kids and chickens
What she does: Owns catering service, Karen's Kitchen
Why do you like the neighborhood? "Because it's such a family-oriented, old-fashioned neighborhood with sidewalks and where people talk with each other. On the downside, everyone knows everybody's business."
What's your favorite neighborhood moment? "I think the 4th of July (annual celebration at Elizabeth Park) because it's such a coming together of community."
Is there anything special about your neighborhood? "One good example of how fabulous this neighborhood is when the man at the Gifford's Market was shot (in 2003). The community came together even though no one really knew him. I think people are really genuinely kind in this neighborhood."
AT A GLANCE
NEIGHBORS PROFILE: 'You couldn't sell me on some other neighborhood'
- KIRA MILLAGE
GLENN EASTWOOD
Age: 70-plus
Lives on: Utter Street
Lived here: Has lived in current house for 50 years, but lived in the neighborhood as child
Lives with: Wife; his 3 daughters live in neighborhood as well
What he does: Owns furniture repair business
How has the neighborhood changed? "There used to be mom-and-pop stores around almost every block. It was a rental neighborhood but it's becoming a more wanted neighborhood than before. The neighborhood group and the historical group made the neighborhood closer. A lot of work has gone into making the neighborhood what it is."
What makes your neighborhood unique? "The programs in the park that the neighborhood puts together bring people into the neighborhood. A lot of people say, 'I sure wish I could live in your neighborhood.' You couldn't sell me on some other neighborhood."
- KIRA MILLAGE
DREW WINSOR
Age: 48
Lives on: Park Sreet
Lived here: 15 years
Lives with: Two kids and yellow lab
What he does: Purchasing agent for woodworking company; Columbia Neighborhood Association president
Why did you choose to live in this neighborhood? "I like the intergenerational mix out on the streets, playing and working right in the community."
Is there anything special about your neighbors? "We have potlucks with a number of other neighbors every two to four weeks, we borrow things back and forth a lot, and we watch each other's kids. It's the classic neighborhood."
What's your favorite neighborhood moment? Columbia neighbors have a Cookies for Cops program, as a thank you to the Bellingham Police Department for all the hard work they did to stop the string of burglaries last year. "(The police) just were overwhelmed. That was one of those Columbia moments that I'll never forget."
- KIRA MILLAGE
CareerBuilder.com Quick Job Search