Northwest Living | Bellingham Real Estate Market

 Lynden, Washington’s Mayor Jack Louws was recently quoted that Lynden may be at a “financial and social crossroad,” and  challenged the city to reinvigorate its retail base to provide enough tax revenue for a growing population needing city services.

The mayor said the Lynden’s City Council and citizens could choose a status-quo approach or one that is proactive with vision and commitment. Louws asked, “Are we ready to reclaim Lynden’s status within the greater community of Whatcom County as the North Whatcom hub of commerce?”

As an addition to his five-page message, which he read, Louws asked if it may be time to reconsider lifting Lynden’s 65,000-square-foot limit on the size of retail stores, as people go elsewhere to buy their clothing, appliances and more.

The city, he said, could change regulatory impediments to retail business; try to maximize tourism opportunities; and work with the Chamber of Commerce and the county Small Business Development Center to do a market analysis as a blueprint.

Louws also mentioned land west of Guide Meridian Road as a possible place for “core retail not currently available in our community,” and doing the rezoning to accommodate it.  “I would like our community to debate and decide a clear direction for our future, and I’m personally inclined toward taking action,” the mayor said.  Lynden may have a “narrow window of opportunity” to move forward with an action plan, as neighboring communities also consider their situations, Louws said.

I think the Mayor might have been referring to the big decision the City of Ferndale is weighing currently with the Pioneer Plaza project proposed for the area near Axton Road and Barrett Road. If Ferndale’s Pioneer Plaza project were to become a reality, that would certainly have an effect on Lynden’s retail sales.  The Pioneer Plaza project, in it’s proposed state, would include about 160 condominiums, 775,000 square feet of retail space, 234,000 square feet of office space and several four-story parking garages.

This amount of retail next to I-5 and about 7 miles north of Bellingham, Washington’s largest retail outlets would create some competition for retail dollars.  Currently Ferndale takes in one of the lowest retail percentages for cities in Whatcom County when figured against their population base.  Lynden, however has done much better than Ferndale and other Whatcom County cities, except the bigger Bellingham, when it comes to taxes that come into the city budget based on sales dollars.

Last year about this time it was announced locally that Lynden was the fastest growing town in Whatcom County.  Lynden has grown by 1,730 people over the last 6 years, a 19.2% increase, bringing the population to 10,750.  I have to say Lynden’s Mayor is doing his job and looking after his city by looking forward.  How can one argue with hard facts like a 19.2% increase in your population and realize where are the tax dollars going to come from to provide services.  The west side of the Guide would have the least negative affect on Lynden’s population growth and far from where Lynden WA Neighborhoods are growing.

So…Id have to say that Mayor Louws is forward thinking for the city of Lynden.  I’m quiet certain that once Guide Meridian road improvements is completed over the next couple years, that will help tremendously with folks wanting to drive north to visit and spend dollars in the Gorgeous town of Lynden, Washington. 

Mayor Louws went on to acknowledged that any path has an impact on the quality of life, but said, “With some changes, I feel we, as a city government, could reap a greater financial reward that would allow us to provide more services in the future, without materially impacting the quality of life in our residential districts and without raising taxes.”

Lynden’s preliminary 2008 budget included the following:
     • No anticipated property tax rate increase.
  • A revenue increase from new construction and reassessment within the 1 percent legal limit, plus $132,648 banked levy capacity.
  • Sales tax estimated the same as 2007.
  • Salaries and benefits according to negotiated increases.
  • Support of seven community organizations, including the Lynden Chamber of Commerce, Lynden’s senior center, Lynden YMCA, and the museum.
  • Completion of a public restrooms building in downtown Lynden.
  • A Police Department patrol sports utility vehicle (still in discussion).
  • In Public Works, a west Lynden utility extension and replacement of a water line along Guide Meridian to River Road.
  • In Streets, replacement of the 14th Street bridge, Benson Road rebuild design, West Main Street construction (grant funding), and reconstruction of the 17th Street culvert.
  • In Parks, field renovation at Bender, parking improvements at City Park, possible park land acquisition. Via partially by way of Lynden Tribune.

Brought to you by Jerry Campbell - The Muljat Group - Lynden WA real estate - Northwest Living