$27 Million Cleanup Set To Begin at Bellingham Waterfront

  Alright, friends, let’s dive into what’s going down in Bellingham’s waterfront cleanup scene. Sampling and dredging kick off this month on the I & J Waterway, a notoriously polluted spot in Bellingham’s industrial zone. This is part of a long-overdue cleanup at one of Bellingham’s “dirty dozen” contaminated sites, according to a recent statement from the state Department of Ecology. Here’s the scoop: one part of the site is hitting the cleanup phase, with construction crews dredging out the nasty sediment. Meanwhile, another section is still in the design phase, where scientists are busy sampling the sediment to figure out just how bad the contamination is. The Port of Bellingham is leading the charge on these efforts, as Ecology’s spokeswoman Kristen Forkeutis spilled in an email to The Bellingham Herald. Now, let’s talk numbers. The cleanup is expected to run about $27 million, but that could change once the engineering design and permitting wrap up. The good news? The port could get reimbursed for up to half of their costs through the state’s remedial action grant program, funded by a tax on hazardous substances. This program is a lifeline for cleaning up publicly owned sites. For those not in the know, the I & J Waterway is a 2.5-acre channel nestled between Hilton Avenue and Bellwether Way, named because it’s at the end of both I and J streets in the Lettered Streets neighborhood. Over the years, it’s been polluted by a slew of industrial activities – think a pulp and tissue mill, rock-crushing plant, seafood processors, and even runoff from a massive waterfront fire back in 1985. Yikes.  The plan is to dredge out around 18,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment from the area near Bornstein Seafoods. This means they’ll need to remove and replace an old dock and put in a new sheet pile bulkhead. Sampling will take about a month, and in-water construction should wrap up by mid-February.  

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Bellingham Restaurant Coming To Granary Building

Brace yourselves, food lovers of Bellingham! The much-anticipated restaurant, Mercato delle Bontà, is set to open its doors in the iconic Granary Building downtown. Announced back in February, this “market of goodness” promises to be a vibrant blend of Italian, Greek, and New York City flavors, making it a must-visit spot for culinary adventurers. Mark Your Calendars: June 30th Grand Opening According to an email from owner Julia Tzortzatos, Mercato delle Bontà will officially welcome its first guests on Sunday, June 30th. Julia, along with her husband Francesco Di Vito, brings a wealth of culinary experience to this new venture. The duo, both seasoned chefs, first captured the public’s attention when they competed on Food Network’s “Cut Throat Kitchen” back in 2017. “Opening Mercato delle Bontà has been a vision my husband, Francesco, and I have had for a few years,” Tzortzatos shared with The Herald. “This is not our first business, but it is our first time working together and our first brick and mortar. My husband was in the food industry in Italy; he managed an Italian restaurant when he moved to NY, and most recently we had a food truck in NYC.” What to Expect: A Culinary Wonderland While the full menu remains under wraps, Mercato delle Bontà is set to tantalize taste buds with a deli, coffee, freshly baked bread from a local bakery, and a market section offering a variety of products and takeout items. Whether you’re in the mood for a leisurely coffee or a quick grab-and-go meal, this new hotspot aims to cater to all. Opening Day Details Join the excitement at 1211 Granary Ave. in Bellingham on June 30th. Mercato delle Bontà will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., ready to serve up its unique blend of flavors and experiences. Stay tuned for more updates on the menu and special offerings as the grand opening approaches. Don’t miss out on the chance to be among the first to experience downtown Bellingham’s newest culinary destination!

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Refreshing a Stale Listing: No BS Guide to Getting Your Listing Sold

Alright, folks. Let’s get straight to the point. You’ve got a listing that’s been sitting on the market longer than a bad date, and you’re starting to sweat bullets. But don’t freak out. Here’s how you can get some life back into that stagnant listing with a bit of staging magic, some killer new photos, and a price adjustment that’ll make buyers sit up and pay attention.1. Staging: Make It Look Like a Million BucksLet’s be real – first impressions matter. You wouldn’t go on a first date wearing sweatpants, right? Same goes for your listing. Staging is all about putting on your best outfit and making buyers fall in love at first sight.A. Show Off the Goods: Got a killer living room? Make it the star of the show. Arrange the furniture to highlight the space and light. Make it scream, “Look how awesome this place is!”B. Neutral Vibes: Keep it neutral, folks. No one wants to see your neon green kitchen. Neutral colors help buyers imagine their own crap in your space.C. Ditch the Clutter: Your Star Wars action figure collection? Hide it. Buyers need to see the house, not your personal shrine to Darth Vader. Less is more.D. Bring in the Pros:  If you’re not a staging guru, hire one. They know how to make your place look like it’s straight out of a magazine.2. Photos: Snap, Crackle, PopYour listing photos suck. There, I said it. If they didn’t, you wouldn’t be here. It’s time to show off your property like the superstar it is.A. Get a Pro: Do yourself a favor and hire a professional photographer. They know all the tricks to make your property look like a million bucks. No more DIY iPhone pics, okay?B. Change the Cover Pic: The first photo is like a profile pic. If it’s not working, change it. Pick the best shot – the one that makes people go, “Wow, I need to see this place.”C. Play with Angles and Light: Take photos at different times of the day to show off how the light hits the space. Morning, noon, and night – give buyers the full experience.D. Seasonal Shots: If your listing’s been up since last winter, update with current seasonal photos. Show how great the place looks year-round.3. Price Adjustment:  Don’t Be Afraid to Make the Cut- Nobody likes to talk about price cuts, but sometimes you gotta face the music. Here’s how to do it without feeling like you’re giving away your listing.A. Know the Market: Check out what similar homes are selling for. If your place is overpriced, it’s time to swallow your pride and make a change.B. Trim the Fat: Even a small price reduction can make a big difference. A 2-5% cut can be enough to catch new eyes and spark interest.C. Sweeten the Deal: Instead of just slashing the price, think about offering incentives. Cover closing costs, throw in a home warranty, or offer allowances for upgrades. Make buyers feel like they’re getting a deal.ConclusionSo there you have it. No BS, just solid advice on how to breathe new life into a stale listing. Stage it like a pro, update those photos, and don’t be afraid to adjust the price. Do this, and you’ll be turning heads and getting offers in no time.

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