Transportation Tailgate

Big ideas, great view

By Amy Kepferle · Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Penthouse views are the first thing you might notice when on the top floor of downtown Bellingham’s Parkade on a clear day. The sparkling bay, Mt. Baker and a sweeping view of the burg where they work and play are all on display, making one want to get their car up there just to take in the view.

Come Sat., July 31, leave your vehicle at home and head to the Parkade’s pinnacle for the first-ever “Transportation Tailgate”—a free event that’ll feature downtown business owners and transportation experts speaking about ways to bring Bellingham up to speed where multimodal transit issues are concerned. Additionally, there’ll be short films and, um, root beer floats.

Nick Hartrich, Sustainable Connections’ Green Building & Smart Growth program manager, explains what the event’s all about.

Cascadia Weekly: Whose big idea was this?
Nick Hartrich: The idea was hatched up by myself and Futurewise Whatcom director, Cathy Lehmann, over a drink at Nimbus. Staring out onto a vast—and empty—parking garage, we kept thinking “Look at all that event real estate!” 

CW: Describe the Transportation Tailgate in a shortish paragraph.
NH: It’s an opportunity for Bellingham residents and downtown businesses to engage in a creative dialogue about successful transportation solutions. This is an opportunity to hear from local business owners who’ve had their share of
parking related business struggles, and the solutions they—as well as other communities across the country—have implemented to overcome these obstacles. The solution might not be what you think! It’s a chance for people to creatively problem-solve and an opportunity to walk away with renewed inspiration for downtown.

CW: Why is the event being held on top of the Parkade?
NH: Reason #1: Try this little experiment: Start asking friends, colleagues and strangers how many times they’ve parked inside Bellingham’s Parkade. More than likely, the response you’ll get is:  “What is the Parkade?”

Reason #2: The Parkade is utilized (and in some opinions, underutilized) for roughly 10 hours a day. The other 14 hours it is a concrete concert hall. Is there a better use for space during those hours? 

Reason #3: The views from atop the Parkade are beautiful.  There are few better places to enjoy a Boundary Bay/Mallard root beer float with your community, friends and elected officials.

CW: What do you (and other organizers) think some of Bellingham’s transportation issues are?
NH: Ninety-nine percent of conversations I have related to downtown Bellingham always result in parking. The reality is that parking is a “perceived” problem. Cars aren’t
the enemy here; it’s how we’ve over-designed their integration into our daily lives. Creative solutions exist, and those solutions focus on the ability to design for complete streets—those that focus on the mobility of pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders. The key word here is “mobility.” For those of us who dream of free parking directly in front of our destination, the solution is simple:  ride a bike.

CW: How will this event attempt to address these issues?
NH: We’ll provide a fun and engaging series of short films and digital clips that offer creative ideas on how Bellingham can engage the part of our brain that calls out to revitalizing our urban core. Combine that with a panel of local experts who know a thing or two about transportation and successful business, mix it up with your elected officials and Boundary Bay/Mallard root beer floats (with complimentary sunset), and well, you get the idea.

CW: Where did these films originate?
NH: The films feature communities that have implemented different types of multi-model infrastructure (pedestrian, bike, bus, car).  Each example is Bellingham-appropriate.  They range from PBS documentary style to digital shorts from our friends at D.C.-based Street Films.

CW: What are you hoping this event accomplishes?
NH: Inspiration, creativity and motivation to support an integrated transportation paradigm. Do we need a parking garage? Do we not?  If not, then let’s move on with our lives and begin the next discussion. If so, then let’s get building! 

CW: Why aren’t those attractive models on bikes on the flyer wearing helmets?
NH: Because they’re gorgeous and Dutch, and their country supports cycling infrastructure that provides the mobility and safety to commute with ease.

CW: Why should people come?
NH: Local businesses are fighting hard to create a home in downtown Bellingham and we’re confidant that creative transportation solutions will support a thriving urban core.  Your ideas are important, and our local elected leaders encourage positive input.  We’re offering fresh perspective to an overly exhausted topic. Did I mention Boundary Bay and Mallard ice cream?