Reimagining Blaine
It isn't often that a community has the chance to reimagine itself, but redevelopment of the Blaine civic center--adjacent to Blaine Public Library--is a golden opportunity. Located in the heart of downtown, the city-owned property formerly occupied by the demolished old city hall is now available for other public purposes. My suggestion to Blaine City Council is to combine affordable apartments with an art center where Blaine residents can take classes and attend presentations.
If Blaine Police Department relocates, that property could be used for apartments and art galleries as well. To accommodate tourists, a parking garage could be built over the skate park. To move forward on its downtown revitalization plan, Blaine office of community development would benefit from hosting a visioning process--like we did for the new library plans--to gather public input on Blaine's future.
Rather than having to travel to Bellingham, Mt. Vernon, Lynden and La Conner to enjoy the arts, let's make an arts scene in Blaine. Other communities apply for state and federal grants for the arts--why not Blaine?
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