The Blaine City Council and the Port of Bellingham’s board of commissioners will meet together tonight to hear an update of plans for new development in what is being called the “Blaine Wharf District.”

The district is set to cover about 105 acres, most of which is owned by the port. The preliminary plan for the area includes residential and commercial buildings, a pedestrian overpass connecting a new park by the water to downtown on the bluff above, restored shorelines, new trails and an amphitheater.

Blaine’s location on Drayton Harbor makes it potentially a great waterfront city. But the city is cut off from the water by heavily used train tracks and by the hike necessary to go from the Blaine Harbor area up to downtown. We hope this redevelopment can help spur investment in the city.

The plan, as presented last year, calls for an estimated $29 million in projects to be created by 2015. The city and port are both expected to find grants or other funding sources to help fund the projects.

In the past, Blaine city officials compared the potential for the new Wharf District to the planned redevelopment of Bellingham’s waterfront in terms of impact on the community.

>> Blaine City Council and Port of Bellingham board of commissioners joint meeting 5:30 p.m. tonight in Blaine City Hall, 344 H St.

NORTH BELLINGHAM PARKS EFFORTS CONTINUE WITH MEETING

Bellingham is continuing its long-needed efforts to build parks in the city’s north end. Last week, officials announced they had purchased 20 acres near Queen Mountain for $875,000 as part of that effort. The money came from Greenways taxes collected with the blessing of voters.

Meanwhile, neighbors in the underserved area can help plan out the future of parks and trails in the fast-growing area at a public meeting Thursday. The meeting is set up to allow citizens to give their input into where parks should be, what should be in them and how they can be linked together by trails.

Now is an important time for residents of northern neighborhoods such as Meridian, Cordata and Mount Baker, to have their voices heard. The city is moving forward with park acquisition and planning. It’s important that citizens take part now, before the parks are built, instead of complaining about the parks later.

>> Public meeting for input on north Bellingham park 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Birchwood Presbyterian Church, 400 Meadowbrook Court.