E-Mail
Print
tool name
close
tool goes here
GUIDE MERIDIAN: Commercial growth brings changes
 |
| While mostly a commercial hotbed, the Guide Meridian neighbor-hood has enough amenities, such as Whatcom Community College, to attract families to the area. MAME BURNS HERALD PHOTO
|
Kira Millage
Stretching north and west of the Meridian neighborhood, the Guide Meridian neighborhood is an area of major expansion.
As Bellingham expands to the north and more large retail chains move in - such as Costco, Best Buy, and Wal-Mart - more and more apartment complexes, condominiums and housing developments have arisen. The area once boasted large family lots, especially along Bakerview Road, but since Bellis Fair Mall opened in 1988, the area has become more commercial, with multiple-family residences being the standard.
Whatcom Community College is in the neighborhood's center and attracts a younger crowd to the many apartment complexes nearby. Restaurants and hotels line Meridian Street here, making it an easy place for travelers to stay within reach of the other neighborhoods in Bellingham.
There are no parks in this mostly commercial area, but Cornwall Park is a short drive away, and a few single-family homes dot the southern section of the neighborhood. Students who live in the northern end of the neighborhood may attend schools in the Meridian School District, even though they live within Bellingham's city limits.
Average age: 35.3 Housing units: 1,289 Assessed median home value: $138,025 Median home size: 1,395 square feet Schools: Alderwood/ Birchwood Elementary, Shuksan Middle School, Squalicum High School. Some families live in Meridian School District Shopping: Major retailers dominate at Bellis Fair mall, Meridian Village and Costco complex; nearest major grocer is Cost Cutter at Cordata Place Parks: Cornwall Park is nearest Mayor's Advisory Committee member: Vacant City Council members: Bob Ryan, Gene Knutson Police calls in 2003: 1,561 Residential burglaries: 19 Vehicle prowls: 90 Population of neighborhood: 1,312
TRICIA BRAUN Age: 27
Lives on: Pacific Rim Lane
Lived here: 3 years
Lives with: Her twin sister Yvonne
Why do you like the neighborhood? "There are good people here. The (apartment) managers are really nice. I made friends with people here."
What neighborhood amenities do you take advantage of? "I take the bus and go to the mall. I love shopping. It's cool here. Everything's right here."
What makes your neighborhood unique? "I have a couple of friends up here. I get along with everyone in here. I talk to quite a few people. I've gotten to know them all, I've been here so long."
AT A GLANCE
NEIGHBORS PROFILE: 'There are good people here'
- MARY LANE GALLAGHER
MIKE MAYERS
Age: 24
Lives on: Westerly Way
Lives with: Girlfriend Leslee Douglas
Lived here: Since this summer
What he does: Graduate student at Western Washington University, studying student affairs administration
Why did you move there? "We moved up here from Durango, Colo., without a place to live. We had a friend who had lived here earlier and said the north side is pretty nice. It's up-and-coming."
Is there anything unique about your neighbors? "It's a good mix of folks. There are families around here, which is kind of nice. In the morning, little kids get on the school bus. I ride the bus down to campus and there's a lot of folks in this neighborhood who all ride together."
- MARY LANE GALLAGHER
CUTRINA SOLOMON
Age: 22
Lives on: Pacific Rim Lane
Lived here: About a year
Lives with: Her brother Jesse Solomon
What she does: Court clerk for Lummi Tribal Court
What do you like about the neighborhood? "I have nice neighbors. I think it's really safe around here."
What neighborhood amenities do you take advantage of? "I like to go shopping around here. It's close to everything - there's Wal-Mart and the mall."
Is there anything special about your neighbors? "I don't know many of them, but there are a few that are pretty nice. I have some neighbors I used to go to school with."
- MARY LANE GALLAGHER
CareerBuilder.com Quick Job Search