Best of Bellingham

Sunnyland is officially the best neighborhood in Bellingham, according to Cascadia Weekly and Bellingham residents. 

Cascadia Weekly, a Bellingham newspaper, released the Best of Bellingham 2013 poll results and many winners are in Sunnyland. Yearly judging is based on which locations have the most votes sent in by members of the community. 

 

Kulshan Brewing Co. was voted the best brewery in Bellingham. The James Street location hosts a 15 barrel brewery with a tap room that is open to the public. Kulshan’s beer can be found at 78 other locations in and around Bellingham including Coconut Kenny’s, which also made the Best of Bellingham List. 

Coconut Kenny’s was voted the best barbecue. Known for their islander pizzas covered in barbecue sauce, Coconut Kenny’s is recognizable by it’s tropical themed building and tiki torches out front. Biking by, one will often hear music and conversation pouring out the front door. 

Winners in Sunnyland were not all food related. Labels was voted the best consignment store in Bellingham and iDiOM theater is the best theater company.

Br’er Rabbit was voted the best band in Bellingham, which is great timing because on November 30 they will be playing at Kulshan Brewing Co. This performance is last on their current tour schedule. 

Other Sunnyland winners include:

India Grill - Best Indian Food

StrEAT Food - Best Food Truck

Hardware Sales - Best Hardware Store

Traffic: An Unsolved Problem in Sunnyland

Traffic in Sunnyland is a continually growing problem that has no agreed upon solution.

Neighborhood plans state that Sunnyland Neighborhood needs to have it's streets improved to be more efficient. The plans also state that they would like to add some trees for aesthetic value.

James Street, in front of Trader Joe's, is one place considered a problem area. Residents speculate there are a few reasons why it is so busy.

"Look, it's another Canadian," Ryan Decker said as he walked across the parking lot in front of Trader Joe's. "And another, and another. The reason I couldn't find parking here is because every spot was already taken by a Canadian car."

When Trader Joe's was first coming to Bellingham, in 2007, members of the Sunnyland Neighborhood Association were worried that the increased flow of traffic to and from the store would make James Street hazardous.

Police records show that from the opening of Trader Joe's until now, that the number of traffic problems have actually decreased.

In 2009, a year after Trader Joe's opened, there were 278 reported traffic accidents/offenses. In 2012, there were 171.

So far this year there have been 150 reported traffic accidents/violations in the Sunnyland neighborhood and the year is not over yet.

There are a couple reasons why traffic may actually be getting better in Sunnyland.

1.) People are becoming accustomed to the busyness and driving carefully.
2.) Minor street projects are helping the flow of traffic.
3.) It is just a coincidence that traffic was worse a few years ago.
4.) Other projects throughout Bellingham and surrounding neighborhoods have lessened the flow of traffic through Sunnyland.

Projects over recent years include street widening plans, on Meridian, Alabama, State Street and more.

While no plans have been approved, no matter what the current numbers say, members of the Sunnyland Neighborhood Association still wish to update their streets. It may take a while but current improvements, like the sidewalk in front of Sunnyland Elementary school, will be ongoing.