The City of Bellingham has just announced that the historic gateway pillars that mark the entrance to Fairhaven Park will be demolished. Demolition and salvage of the iconic gateway structures is scheduled for February.

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The City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department estimates that replacing the structures will cost $250,000. Cost projections are based on planner’s estimates for the market rate of expenses like architectural and engineering plans, permits, labor, and material costs. According to department officials, “Reuse of parts of the salvaged pieces, or replication with new materials, both are possible.”

Replacement of the structures is not currently in the budget or Department plans for the near-future. This was not an expected situation, but the deterioration of the structures is significant enough that they need to be taken down soon in the interest of public safety. Citizens across the city have reacted strongly to the news, and many have expressed a wish to help with the costs to rebuild.