Paper Whale Activates Bellingham Public Market Building

The organization's new lease allows for temporary cultural and event use of the downtown site until transit construction begins.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Paper Whale Activates Bellingham Public Market Building

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Should local agencies repurpose underutilized properties for community arts and creative spaces?

Paper Whale has taken possession of the former Public Market building at 1530 Cornwall Ave in Bellingham. The community organization leased the space from the Whatcom Transportation Authority to host artist studios and local events until the site is repurposed for transit.

Why it matters

This interim lease allows for continued community vibrancy downtown while the Whatcom Transportation Authority advances its multi-year development timeline for a new transit station. It demonstrates a strategy for property owners to activate vacant assets through temporary commercial and cultural partnerships.

The lease agreement covers the building at 1530 Cornwall Ave in Bellingham, marking the second major phase of site planning following the authority's initial acquisition of the property in 2025. The project duration remains dependent on the multi-year transit station timeline.

The players

Paper Whale

A community organization that produces local cultural programs including the Noisy Waters Mural Festival and the Rising Tide Speaker Series.

Whatcom Transportation Authority

The public transit agency responsible for managing the building at 1530 Cornwall Ave and the eventual development of a new transit station.

The details

Paper Whale entered a lease with the Whatcom Transportation Authority to repurpose the Public Market building into a community hub. The operator will spend the coming months modifying the interior to host its existing portfolio, including the Noisy Waters Mural Festival and the Rising Tide Speaker Series. This short-term use strategy bridges the gap between current occupancy and the long-term transit development.

2025: The Whatcom Transportation Authority announced plans to acquire the building.
September 2026: The lease agreement between the authority and Paper Whale was officially announced.
October 2026: Paper Whale took physical possession of the 1530 Cornwall Ave space.

Market Landscape

This project aligns with local transit-oriented development patterns that favor interim use of public assets. It mirrors strategies used by other municipalities to maintain urban vitality while awaiting long-term infrastructure implementation.

Local business operators should note how short-term lease structures with government agencies can provide access to prominent downtown real estate. Watch for future activity at 1530 Cornwall Ave as the transit station project timeline approaches.

The takeaway

Using interim leases to maintain property occupancy can prevent downtown blight and keep foot traffic consistent during long infrastructure development cycles. Business owners with underutilized or scheduled-for-development space should evaluate whether temporary cultural tenants could offset carrying costs.