About the Downtown Renaissance Network

Since 2000, the Downtown Renaissance Network has been the only organization that unites the diverse interests that define our city center. Through our network of members, we present a powerful voice for Downtown Bellingham.

Recognized Leadership:

The Network is a strong voice for Downtown and an effective liaison between downtown stakeholders and local decision-makers. As a central clearinghouse for Downtown, the Network is the best source of information on upcoming events, public policies, and opportunities.

We work to:

Provide leadership in the development of public policy that affects Downtown.
Generate solutions to problems impacting the Downtown environment.
Ensure a strong connection between Downtown and the waterfront.
Develop design standards to enhance the urban environment.
Assist the Parking Commission in improving downtown parking.
Ensure that Downtown's important role in the economic health of Whatcom County is widely understood.

Bite of Bellingham

Downtown's vibrant atmosphere, variety of attractions, and inviting appearance make Bellingham a prime business location, visitor destination, residential setting, and an important source of community identity.

The Network works to enhance the Downtown experience by:

Ensuring a clean and welcoming Downtown through our Maintenance and Beautification Programs.
Attracting thousands of year-round visitors to downtown through the Network’s unique events: Downtown Gallery Walks (in coordination with Allied Arts of Whatcom County), Downtown Sidewalk Sale, Bite of Bellingham, Downtown Sounds, and Downtown Trick-or-Treat.
Increasing customers to downtown businesses through cooperative advertising campaigns, our visitor information station, and such programs as Downtown Dollars, a year-round gift certificate program that attracts new visitors and encourages recipients to explore downtown’s variety.

Downtown Sounds Alley Concert

Streetscaping Projects

Downtown Renaissance Network Maintenance Crew

Downtown Bellingham Information Station

Individual and business members in the Network receive a variety of benefits, including:

Networking Opportunities: Quarterly member only meetings, quarterly newsletters, the best source for information about issues affecting Downtown.
A Voice for Downtown: Support the one organization that represents all of Downtown businesses, residents, and visitors.
An Improved Quality of Life Downtown: Your membership plays a direct role in presenting events, programs, and other promotions that enhance the city center.
Beautification: The Network landscapes the Downtown streetscape with large flower planters.
A Clean and Welcoming Downtown: Our Maintenance Program improves the downtown environment within the maintenance district. Our maintenance crew cleans downtown sidewalks and street furniture. They also function as Downtown ambassadors to improve public safety by providing information to downtown visitors and acting as an extra set of eyes and ears for law enforcement.
Downtown Information Station: The Network operates a year-round info station to welcome and orient visitors to Downtown with a central location for information on events, entertainment, shopping, lodging, cultural entities and restaurants. Our knowledgeable and helpful staff provides maps, brochures, calendars of events, online kiosk information and ticket sales.

Business members receive added benefits, including:

An improved business climate due to the Network's advocacy for downtown-friendly policies and efforts to attract visitors downtown.
Promotion of Downtown through cooperative advertising, events, and programs that promote the area locally, regionally, and internationally.
A welcoming business environment through our Downtown Maintenance and Beautification Programs which maintain a clean and welcoming environment.
Increased visibility through a free link on the Network's website and interactive map and reduced pricing for listings in our downtown map and business directory.
Networking opportunities to help grow your business and make important community connections.
Special member pricing to participate in Network sponsored events and promotions such as Downtown Dollars, Gallery Walks, Downtown Sounds and member websites.

Become a member today!

Shopping on Railroad Avenue

Downtown Dollars

Board of Directors

Peter Cutbill, President
Erica Charbonneau, Vice President

Cathy Lehman, Treasurer

Robert Brim

George Dyson

Bill Gorman

Gary Holloway

Leslie Langdon

Cindy Meche

Ginger Oppenheimer

Frank Ordway

Michael Smith

Scott Walker

Heather Wolf

Patrons

Baron & Company

City of Bellingham
Daylight Properties

Community Leaders

Champion Street Center

Chmelik, Sitkin & Davis
Comcast
Greenhouse
Port of Bellingham

Mission Statement

Enhancing, promoting, and advocating for the healthy maintenance, improvement and development of Bellingham's City Center.

Committees

Finance & Administration
Maintenance and Facilities, Budget, Legal, Insurance, and Audit.

Management
Human Resources, Board Nominations, and Program issues.

Resource Development
Fundraising, Member Recruitment, Events, Marketing & PR, and other revenues.

Member Services
Board Development, Networking, Business Retention & Recruitment, Communications, Design.

Contact

Kirsten Walker

Executive Director

Cassia Parsons

Member Services

Downtown Renaissance Network
Physical Address: 1304 Cornwall Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1201, Bellingham, WA 98227

Phone: 360.527.8710

Fax: 360.527.8709