What’s happening with the former Rocket Donuts building? Here are the details
When Mike Hammes began making plans to seismically retrofit and renovate the former Rocket Donuts building on Holly Street, he was really hoping to save the iconic parts, including the Lanny Little mural.
Unfortunately, the mural couldn’t be saved. But art will soon be returning to that wall, along with the rocket sculpture.
Hammes, who owns Ram Construction as well as the building, said the mural depicting that part of the Bellingham neighborhood was one of his favorites. However, the mural was installed on a layer of plaster, not Sheetrock. It wasn’t maintained over the years and cracks developed, allowing water to get in behind the plaster.
“Once that happened the bond between the plaster and the brick wall was compromised, causing larger and larger pieces to fall off the wall. Freeze-and-thaw cycles made the problem worse. Once we took a closer look, there were large pieces that were barely hanging on,” Hammes said.
That, coupled with water coming through the brick wall to the interior, left Hammes with no choice but to redo that part of the building.
Hammes also removed the rocket sculpture, which was in the parking lot next to the building, but it will return in coming weeks. It is getting refurbished, which includes fixing the lights. He’s also considering the idea of adding some special effects like smoke to make it look like it is blasting off.
Art will be returning to the mural wall, but in a way that involves more of the community. The lower eight feet of the wall will be set aside for an interactive display for the public to use. The upper part of the wall will have three or four panels that will be rotating artwork from local artists.
“We’ll be seeking a cross-section of art for the panels,” Hammes said. “We are very committed to being an active part of the art district.”
When Hammes purchased the building in 2019, the year Rocket Donuts closed, he knew there was plenty of work to do. But he also knew that it was one of Bellingham’s legacy buildings and wanted to save it.
“I love this city and we made the investment so we could be a part of it,” said Hammes, adding that the seismic upgrades will keep the building around for the long-term. “This is a legacy building and we wanted to save it.”
According to data compiled by National Register of Historic Places, the structure was originally known as the Canfield building and constructed in 1926. Built by Robert Canfield, partner in the Canfield-Caulkins Implement Company, it has had a variety of tenants over the decades, including real estate offices, a business college and retail stores. The area that is now a parking lot was a Standard Oil gas station at one time.
Once the seismic work is done, the building will have a few new tenants. A sandwich shop called Cheba Hut is going into the retail space on the first floor of the Holly Street side of the building, while Lydia Place is moving its administrative offices into the second floor. Hammes said another nonprofit is slated to go into the building. The plan is to have the retail space ready by late winter, possibly by January.
The inside of the building will also have a new look compared to the Rocket Donuts days. Along with a complete remodel of the retail space area, windows are being installed to bring in more natural light.
This story was originally published December 3, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
