Bellingham’s newest waterfront attraction will have a name soon. Here’s what some have suggested
Bellingham’s newest waterfront attraction is closer to having a name, after city officials asked for suggestions.
Many of the 167 names proposed for a century-old pier that the city received by donation in 2021 and is rebuilding near Little Squalicum Park are whimsical, punny, and predictable — yes “Piery McPierface” got several votes.
Others recommendations through the Engage Bellingham website included “Piers Brosnan,” “Pierless,” “I Can See Canada From Pier” and “From Pier to Eternity.”
More serious submissions ranged from the practical (Little Squalicum Park Pier) to the sublime (Salish Seawalk).
Whatever name is chosen, the pier was built in 1912 by the Olympic Portland Cement Co. to carry railroad cars that delivered processed cement products to waiting barges. Operations ended in the late 1980s and the pier fell into disrepair, according to the city of Bellingham website and previous Bellingham Herald reporting.
Over the years, it’s been known as Tilbury Pier, Lehigh Pier, Olympic Cement Pier and simply, The Pier.
Members of the City Council’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board are scheduled to meet this month to consider the pier’s name. City Council members will make the final decision from the advisory board’s recommendation.
The call for suggestions ended July 15.
Lehigh Northwest Cement Co. donated the first 1,200 feet of its unused pier in 2021.
Plans are to develop the 14-foot-wide pier into a 1,200-foot walking and bike path using $4.5 million in Greenways levy funds, park impact fees and grants, according to the city’s website and previous Herald reporting.
This story was originally published August 4, 2024 at 2:17 PM.
