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ROOSEVELT: Diverse area on the upswing
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| Recently renovated Roosevelt Park continues to be a popular family spot in the neighborhood. PETE KENDALL HERALD PHOTO
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Kira Millage
Once regarded as the most dangerous place to live in Bellingham, this diverse neighborhood is making major improvements with a lower crime rate, a new Boys and Girls Club, improved parks and plans to create a community center.
Roosevelt is a compact neighborhood cut in half by Alabama Street, a busy east-west arterial that connects the city center with Lake Whatcom. On the far north side are newer housing developments, while the rest of the neighborhood north of Alabama Street consists mostly of small houses on small lots. South of Alabama Street are more small single-family homes and apartment complexes.
The neighborhood used to be considered a renter's world, but more and more people are moving into the neighborhood permanently.
On the south edge of the neighborhood is Iowa Street, known for its row of car dealerships. The northwest corner is home to a new commercial development containing Lowe's and Walgreens stores. Residents also have easy access to Interstate 5 and the nearby Sunset Square shopping complex.
To help alleviate the compact feeling of the neighborhood, Roosevelt Park and the Railroad Trail offer great places to unwind. Newly renovated Roosevelt Park has a playground, large fields, basketball courts and bathrooms. The Railroad Trail can be walked all the way to Whatcom Falls Park.
Average age: 30.8 Housing units: 2,621 Assessed median home value: $98,165 Median home size: 1,242 square feet Schools: Roosevelt /Sunnyland/Northern Heights elementaries, Kulshan/Whatcom Middle School, Bellingham /Squalicum High School Shopping: Several mini-marts on Alabama Street. Major grocery stores are Red Apple Market on James Street, Haggen at Barkley Village Parks: Roosevelt Park, Roosevelt Nature Area, Whatcom Falls Park and Railroad Trail Mayor's Advisory Committee member: Teresa Quinn City Council members: Gene Knutson, Grant Deger Police calls in 2003: 3,877 Residential burglaries: 76 Vehicle prowls: 228 Population of neighborhood: 3,918
DANA EVANS Age: 38
Lives on: Huron Street
Lived there: 3 1/2 years
Lives with: Husband, kids, two dogs and a cat
Why did you move there? "Schools were our compelling reason. We actually picked this area so that our children would attend those schools we want them to attend."
What do you like about the area? "I really like the neighborhood. It's really friendly and I like that houses are on bigger lots than newer neighborhoods are on."
What amenities do you take advantage of? "I like a lot of the trails because we like to be outside walking or jogging. You can walk here. The kids have a trail to the school or you can walk all the way to Whatcom Falls Park. It's a pretty area."
What makes your neighborhood unique? "I think the neighborhood is very neighborly. Everyone looks out for each other."
AT A GLANCE
NEIGHBORS PROFILE: 'It has enriched my life meeting these people'
RICHARD MANEVAL
Age: 51
Lives on: Superior Street
Lived here: 20 years
Lives with: Wife and cat
What he does: President of Roosevelt Neighborhood Association
Why do you like living there? "There are a lot of good people. It has enriched my life meeting these people and learning from them."
What's the biggest thing that's happened there? "Definitely, the crime rate going down. It would be nice if people would stop saying we have nothing but crime."
What's your favorite neighborhood moment? "Three years ago, someone vandalized the bathroom at Roosevelt Park. After the police showed up, immediately kids took police officer by the hand and took them over to the apartment building where the vandals lived and said they had done it. They showed a great responsibility on their part."
BECKY ROGGE
Age: 21
Lives on: East Illinois
Lived here: 8 months
Lives with: Roommate
What she does: College student and works at Round Table Pizza
Why do you like the neighborhood? "It's pretty centralized. There's a grocery store within two blocks in any direction and the urban trail, so you don't have to walk on the street when you go somewhere. You can rent movies in one direction and see movies in the other direction."
What makes your neighborhood unique? "It's a mixture of ages. There are a lot more family types."
Are there amenities you take advantage of in the area?: I usually just go to Whatcom Falls on the trails. It's pretty nice to walk that direction, bike, too. The bridge (pedestrian overpass over Alabama Street) has an awesome view."
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