Hold my Pier: Bellingham officials to let residents name this 112-year-old pier. Here’s how

If you ever wanted to name a pier, you’re in luck.

The City of Bellingham is taking suggestions for a new name for the pier at Little Squalicum Park in the Birchwood area. The pier, which has stood over Bellingham Bay since 1912, was donated to the city in 2021 by the Lehigh Northwest Cement Company. Now, the city is renovating it and wants a new name to accompany its new look.

The pier was originally built to help the Olympic Portland Cement Company transport concrete onto bay barges. Now, the city aims to make it accessible to the public and has proposed turning it into one of the primary spots in town for access to the bay. The proposal includes adding an overlook and fishing areas to the pier while making its entrance ADA and emergency vehicle accessible.

You can submit potential names on the project’s website or vote for your favorite submission. Multiple submissions can be made per person. As of June 21, over 90 ideas had already been submitted. The city will stop taking suggestions on July 12 before potential names go to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board in August and the City Council in September.

The renovations are slated to begin later this year and is only allowed between August and February to protect marine life, according to the city’s website.

This story was originally published June 21, 2024 at 11:33 AM.