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MERIDIAN: Business drives Meridian's growth
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| Bellis Fair mall is the centerpiece of the Meridian area's commercial hub. MAME BURNS HERALD PHOTO
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Kira Millage
The Meridian neighborhood, clustered along Meridian Street north of Interstate 5, is the retail center of Bellingham.
The neighborhood gained its independence from the Guide Meridian neighborhood in 1995 because of its heavily commercial nature and the fact that it sits at the intersection of the two largest traffic arteries in Bellingham: Interstate 5 and Meridian Street.
Straddling either side of Meridian north of I-5, the neighborhood includes Bellis Fair mall, Cordata Place, Meridian Place and dozens of retail businesses lining Meridian up to Kellogg Road. Restaurants, department stores, specialty stores, hardware stores and bookstores - nearly everything can be found here.
The neighborhood has some apartment complexes scattered along Cordata Parkway and south of Kellogg Road, and some older, established homes. There are no major parks and few trees in the neighborhood but Cornwall Park is just south of the freeway off Meridian Street.
Expansion is occurring to the east of the neighborhood, outside the city limits, but no large housing developments have yet been built.
Average age: 42 Housing units: 522 Assessed median home value: $126,010 Median home size: 1,528 square feet Schools: Alderwood/Parkview Elementary, Shuksan Middle School, Squalicum High School Shopping: Major retailers dominate at Bellis Fair mall, Meridian Village and Costco complex. Nearest major grocer is Cost Cutter at Cordata Place Parks: Ankar Park; Cornwall Park to the south Mayor's Advisory Committee member: Vacant City Council members: Bob Ryan, Gene Knutson Police calls in 2003: 2,270 Residential burglaries: 11 Vehicle prowls: 82 Population of neighborhood: 1,312
GARY POMEROY Age: 45
Street: West Bakerview
Lived here: 1 year
What he does: Retired
Why did you move here? "There's great convenience to the doctors and stores. I wouldn't live anywhere else. It's luxury at it's best." Pomeroy lives in newly developed condominiums.
What do you like about your neighborhood? "It's close to everything. I can walk to the mall. Living here, you really don't even need a car."
What makes your neighborhood unique? "The people associated with my building - the residents and the staff. Everyone is great."
AT A GLANCE
NEIGHBORS PROFILE: 'There's great convenience to the doctors and stores'
MARI-LON WAID
Age: 71
Street: West Bakerview
Lived here: 6 months
Lives with: Her husband Jarold Waid
What she does: Retired
Why did you move here? "We were tired of mowing an acre of lawn and this just seemed like a nice change."
What do you like about your neighborhood? "I like my neighbors and, believe it or not, it's relatively quiet. I have friends across the hallway and the building has young people, middle-aged and even oldsters like me. We are so glad we made this choice."
What makes your neighborhood special? "It only takes me five minutes to walk to the mall and try on a pair of shoes. It's great being so close to so many services."
M. MICHAEL WILSON
Age: 72
Street: Telegraph Road
Lived here: 22 years
What he does: Retired
Why did you move here? "We were looking for affordable housing and it led us right here."
What do you like about your neighborhood? "It's fairly quiet most of the time and it's close to some businesses. I'm a creative writer and it's very conducive to good writing."
What makes your neighborhood unique? "It's a mobile park, and it was designed originally for elderly people."
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Lake Whatcom Center -
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LYNDEN MANOR -
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Mt. Baker Care Center -
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