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Bellingham council authorizes $1.8 million purchase of 5.02-acre Lake Whatcom parcel
Summary
Council authorized the mayor to close on the $1.8 million purchase of a 5.02-acre Lake Whatcom waterfront parcel and a separate 1.36-acre conservation easement, using restricted watershed preservation funds collected via a utility surcharge; vote was unanimous.
The Bellingham City Council on Jan. 5 authorized the mayor to close on the purchase of a 5.02-acre waterfront property in the Lake Whatcom watershed and a separate 1.36-acre conservation easement for a combined purchase price of $1,800,000. The council stated the purchase would be funded through the city’s Lake Whatcom Watershed Land Acquisition and Preservation program using restricted funds supported by a surcharge on city water utility bills. Closing is set to occur on or before Jan. 30, 2026, subject to final approval and closing conditions.
The item was discussed in executive session earlier in the day and brought forward for authorization. Council member Michael Lilliquis, speaking during the public portion of the meeting, said the watershed program typically acquires undeveloped parcels and that shoreline parcels are more expensive, calling the waterfront acreage “why these 6 acres are so expensive.” The chair moved the authorization; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously, 7-0.
The council described the purchase as consistent with the Lake Whatcom watershed land acquisition program and emphasized that the funds used are restricted for that purpose. The purchase was presented as a preservation action for city-managed watershed lands; additional implementation steps or management responsibilities were not specified in the public record of the meeting.
