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CommentsBELLINGHAM - The genesis for Whatcom Museum's Lightcatcher Building grew out of community discussions that stretched over 12 years about how to revitalize downtown Bellingham. The city's core was hurt when major downtown retailers relocated to Bellis Fair mall when it opened, taking shoppers and other foot traffic with them.
July 2002: The Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District is created by the city of Bellingham and Whatcom County to help create a regional center and cultural district in the downtown that would act as an economic stimulus. Projects also are expected to encourage public and private investment.
• The district is an independent taxing authority. It is collecting a 0.033 percent share of state sales tax for 25 years, or until September 2027. That means that for every $1,000 in sales tax collected in Bellingham and Whatcom County, 33 cents is returned to this community.
• The revenue from this tax rebate will repay $19 million in bonds that will help fund construction of the Lightcatcher Building and renovations to the Mount Baker Theatre; $8.6 million in private fundraising also will be used to support the museum and the theater.
July 2004: The Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District buys the former state Employment Security Department building at 216 Grand Ave. for $1.69 million as the site for the future museum.
January 2005: A jury that includes architects, PFD members and museum officials select Seattle-based Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects over two other finalists to design the new museum, culminating an international competition.
Summer 2007: Employment Security Department building demolished. Construction begins on new museum building.
Nov. 14, 2009: Grand opening and public unveiling of the Lightcatcher Building, 250 Flora St. in downtown Bellingham. The project's total price tag is $18.3 million - including $12.9 million for construction, with the remainder for land acquisition, permitting, architecture and engineering fees, exhibit design and fabrication, and project management.
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