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MOUNT BAKER: Sweeping views and rapid growth
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| The modern Barkley Village shopping center is one of the many commercial developments in the Mount Baker neighborhood. MAME BURNS HERALD PHOTO
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Kira Millage
The Mount Baker neighborhood is one of the fastest growing residential areas of Bellingham, offering sweeping views of the city and Bellingham Bay from atop Barkley Boulevard on the north side of town.
This large neighborhood covers many commercial developments, including Sunset Square, Barkley Village, and the industrial areas along Hannegan Road, East Bakerview Road and Irongate Road. The area boasts two large grocery stores, several restaurants, a movie theatre, gas stations, banks and a department store, creating the feel of a second downtown.
The residential areas continue to expand. Apartment complexes surround Sunset Square, line the newly widened Sunset Drive and dot the area along Barkley Boulevard leading to Barkley Village from Sunset Drive. The James Street Estates, a mobile home park, is located behind Sunset Square next to Sunset Pond, and is known for its annual Christmas lights show.
Housing developments also hug the western side of the neighborhood at Barkley Hill. The large homes generally have well-manicured lawns and street traffic is light. At the far northeastern corner are Bellingham's two newest schools: Squalicum High School and Northern Heights Elementary School.
One large park sits atop of Barkley Hill, North Ridge Park, but there are trails leading from there to Whatcom Falls Park and Lake Whatcom.
Average age: 37.4 Housing units: 1,954 Assessed median home value: $155,145 Median home size: 1,602 square feet Schools: Parkview/Northern Heights Elementary, Kulshan/Whatcom Middle School, Squalicum High School Shopping: Sunset Square shopping center has K-Mart, Rite-Aid Pharmacy and The Fair Market grocery; across Sunset Drive is Walgreen and Lowe's; Barkley Village Haggen Parks: North Ridge Park, Pacific Trails Park, Baker Creek, Sunset Pond Mayor's Advisory Committee member: Geri Payne City Council members: Gene Knutson, Grant Deger Police calls in 2003: 1,376 Residential burglaries: 30 Vehicle prowls: 83 Population of neighborhood: 2,550
SITA AMBA-RAO Age: 68
Lives on: Pinehurst Court
Lived here: 4 years
Lives with: Her husband C. L. Amba-Rao
What she does: A retired business management professor at Indiana University-Kokomo, she now volunteers for America's Advisers of Small Business, as well as the Whatcom Volunteer Center and the Rainbow Center
Why did you move here? "(The neighborhood) is new, it's upscale, it's uncluttered and it's lively. We have wide roads for walking and a beautiful view."
What neighborhood amenities do you take advantage of? "This area is like a little village, it's totally self-contained. We go everywhere else. But for our daily things, it's very convenient."
How has the neighborhood changed? "It's changed for the better. With more homes and more businesses came more activities. Both cultural and business activities have increased."
AT A GLANCE
NEIGHBORS PROFILE: 'It is new, it's upscale, it's uncluttered and it's lively'
DONNA DUTTON
Age: 56
Lives on: Spyglass Drive
Lived here: Almost 7 years
Lives with: Her husband Rick
What she does: Former hearing assistant for the Social Security Administration Disability Court System
Why do you like the neighborhood? "I love the view and the spectacular sunsets."
What makes your neighborhood unique? "It is one of the last view properties developed in the northeast part of Bellingham. It is probably the fastest growing section of the city."
What's the biggest thing that's happened there? "Since we were one of the first houses built in the Spyglass area, we used to have weekends filled with four-wheelers over the empty lots. Now all of those are built. When we moved in, Chandler was not even punched through to McLeod."
SALLY BISHOP
Age: 70
Lives on: Pinehurst Court
Lived here: 7 years
What she does: Retired after 37 years at Ranier Bank
Why do you like the neighborhood? "There are such wonderful walking trails. You just feel very comfortable and safe. There are enough ups and downs, you get a good work out. I can go any direction I want, and there's something fun to see and be a part of."
What's your favorite neighborhood moment? "My neighbors are both retired professors who just celebrated their 50th anniversary. People came from all over the world. They had relatives from India that came, the East Coast, and California, and we all met over at Bloedel-Donovan Park. It was a really wonderful gathering."
How has the neighborhood changed over the years? "It's been completely built in. When I first came, probably only half of the homes were built on my cul de sac."
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