BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) –The Downtown Bellingham Partnership is a non-profit powerhouse within Whatcom County’s largest city. 

The Downtown Bellingham Partnership (DBP) is a non-profit organization made up of five individuals who aim to further the “vibrancy and growth” of the Downtown Bellingham area. They work to enhance commerce, culture and community through events and celebrations throughout the year.

The staff includes Executive Director Lindsey Payne Johnstone, Development & Communications Director Jenny Hagemann, Finance & Operations Director David Sadowsky, Community Engagement Manager Nathalie Wagler and Landscaping & Maintenance Manager Kenny Austin. 

The DBP has taken on different names and forms since it was established in 2000, standing today as a core facilitator of vibrancy, life and engagement in Bellingham. From long-established events like Downtown Sounds to more recent creations like the City Block Program, the group has established itself not only as “the party people” but as an organization capable of influencing change. 

The City Block Program was born in 2022 and serves as a way for business owners to get to know each other. The program was born out of the idea that business owners should know their neighbors.

“There were two business owners who had been across the street from each other for 20 years and had never met,” Wagler said. “It was an amazing way for people to get to know each other, and so much collaboration between business owners has come out of that.”

At the heart of every city or metropolitan area is a “downtown.” The DBP looks to make the heart of Bellingham feel inclusive and connected, whether that means making the downtown area look nice or coordinating events that promote diversity and inclusivity. 

Though the organizations’ work and services are focused on the downtown area, as a part of the economic fabric of Whatcom County they participate in shared county-level discussions. The group is a member of the Washington Main Street Network, Team Whatcom and the Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Commission, which help facilitate an understanding of external factors that the DBP is subject to.

The DBP oversees approximately 52 blocks of the downtown area, specifically the commercial area. However, as The Port of Bellingham begins to increase development at the waterfront level, there have been conversations about further connecting people to the commerce and activity on the marine side of things.

“What’s really unique about our organization and the work we do is that connectivity and relationship building. We work close with the city, we work close with the business community, but we genuinely just steward important relationships, and a lot of our work and programs reflect that,” Johnstone said.

A key part of facilitating connectivity in Downtown Bellingham lies in directly taking care of the city itself. It’s the responsibility of Austin and his maintenance team to not only care for the flower beds, baskets and other garden maintenance but also clean up the buildings themselves and enforce the Graffiti Abatement Program.

“It’s such important work,” Hagemann said. “Clean and safe is an ultimate promise and pillar of [the work]. Stepping up to lead that team takes a special, powerful, positive person.”

The City of Bellingham funds the Downtown Bellingham Partnership’s cleaning, landscaping and graffiti removal programs annually. Austin’s team works in the early hours of the morning before the sun rises to clean and also puts their efforts towards taking care of homeless folks, camp clean-ups, administering Naloxone (Narcan) and being helpful in any way they can.

“What I see and what the general public sees are completely different,” Austin said. “People don’t usually see the rough shape of downtown; in a way that’s the biggest impact, that people don’t see what can be a pretty rough scene first thing in the morning.”

The goal is to make Bellingham feel welcoming to anyone, regardless of their affinity for “city life.” Everything the partnership does is centered around creating a strong community. They hope to see businesses and individuals succeed and create an environment downtown that is unlike anywhere else.

To celebrate the businesses that are making a difference in downtown Bellingham, the DBP hosts The Scepter Awards. This is a closed-circle event, with proceeds from the event going straight back to the DBP, which is also a 501(c)(3) organization. Aside from honoring local businesses, “Bellebrities” will be taking the stage to show off their lip sync skills and a 50/50 raffle will take place.

To get tickets to support downtown businesses and the Downtown Bellingham Partnership, head the official event page here.

We are Whatcom is a weekly column featuring Whatcom County residents making a positive impact on the community. To submit a Whatcom County resident to be featured, click here.