The Downtown Bellingham Partnership is a 501c3 nonprofit organization committed to stewarding Downtown Bellingham as the heart of our city. Through collaboration, advocacy, and creative activation, DBP works to strengthen the economic vitality, character, and shared experience of Downtown, ensuring it remains a welcoming place for businesses to thrive and the community to gather.
From The Director
Dear Downtown Bellingham Community, Supporters, and Friends,
2025 was a year of many milestones for us here at the Downtown Bellingham Partnership. We completed our first-ever multi-year strategic plan - a shared roadmap shaped by staff, board members, partners, and community voices.
We also made meaningful progress in how Downtown looks, feels, and tells its story. We created the Commercial Street Parking Garage Art Plan, a framework designed to reimagine this highly visible piece of infrastructure as a canvas for local creativity and storytelling. At the same time, we invested in digital strategies, building relationships with community-minded marketers and creators, and exploring new ways to help Downtown businesses share who they are.
We welcomed Christa Robertson as our new Events and Administrative Coordinator, strengthening our internal capacity and bringing fresh energy to our team. We were also honored to welcome two new board members whose perspectives and leadership deepen our organization’s governance and vision.
Our Landscape and Maintenance team truly showed up for Downtown in 2025. Beyond their day-to-day work, the crew installed 410 new plants in the spring, and in the fall, our community raised $700 to plant 1,700 tulip and daffodil bulbs throughout the Downtown core. These efforts were supported by volunteers and supported by Mayor Lund, City Council members, and neighbors who care deeply about this place. I’m incredibly grateful for that shared stewardship.
The district experienced a mix of highs and lows throughout the year - we said farewell to a local anchor, Boundary Bay Brewery, but we also saw tangible signs of belief in Downtown’s future. Businesses chose not only to stay, but to deepen their roots here. New investments brought fresh energy to our streets. Arts and culture continued to anchor our identity. Employers reinvigorated weekday foot traffic - all indicators that Downtown is resilient and here to stay.
None of these efforts happen alone. In 2025, our work continued to be supported by a mix of private and public investment - from the City, the Port, our 45+ Main Street donors, event sponsors, and individual supporters, to everyone who filled our beverage garden at Downtown Sounds and lined up to sell out our seasonal Wine Walks. For this, my team and I are deeply grateful.
Downtown is always evolving, and our work is designed to evolve with it. 2025 is a reflection of shared stewardship - of people showing up, investing thoughtfully, and believing in what Downtown can be. I’m proud of what we’ve built together and confident in what lies ahead as we continue caring for the heart of our city.
Lindsey Payne Johnstone
Executive Director Downtown Bellingham Partnership
Get To Know DBP
Our Mission
We champion a vibrant and welcoming Downtown community by leading initiatives that support commerce, culture, celebration, and care for the places that bring people together.
Our Core Services
We champion the health and vitality of Downtown Bellingham through the promotion of commerce, culture, and celebration.
Our work is focused on four core tenants:
Board of Directors
Ken Mann, President
Rose Lathrop, Vice President
Chris Roselli, Secretary
Dan Murphy, Treasurer
Aaron Haynes | Craig Jewell | Logan McQuaig | Amy Robinson | Kate Groen
Staff
Lindsey Payne Johnstone, Executive Director | David Sadowsky, Finance & Operations Director | Jenny Hagemann, Development and Communications Director | Nathalie Wagler, Community Engagement Manager | Christa Robertston, Events & Administrative Coordinator | Kenny Austin, Landscape and Maintenance Manager
2025’s Highlight Reel
Clean & Kept
Flowers Bring Joy when our Landscaping Team enhanced Downtown with 44 baskets of begonias, petunias, and vines, adding beauty and vibrancy to our streets from May through November.
Bulbapalooza Campaign added 1,700 NEW flower bulbs on key corridors Downtown and over a dozen volunteers, including the Mayor and City Council members, rolled up their sleeves to tuck the bulbs to bed until their bloom in spring.
Graffiti & Visual Litter Abatement program removed over 2,000 pieces of graffiti, keeping our streets clean through cooperation with private property owners.
Commercial Vitality
$15,000 in Storefront Improvement Grants helped six businesses reduce expenses for facelifts to their signage and entryways, enhancing the shopping and dining district’s curb appeal.
Cultural Vibrancy
“I Heart B’Ham” Valentine’s Day pop-up at Commercial Street Plaza surprised and delighted up to 300 attendees with sweet treats, live music, glitter tattoos, and a diverse lineup of artisan vendors for family-friendly fun.
Gallery Alley Dazzled with original artwork by 16 local artists selected to paint reclaimed doors for colorful cheer from June through September.
Celebration of Community
Downtown Sounds’ 21st Anniversary broke records with 28,300 attendees celebrating free music and community spirit, showcasing the power of shared experiences.
Campus Connectivity was evident through two signature events welcoming 3,000+ WWU students Downtown for First Night Out to kick off the new school year, and Last Night Out before summer break.
Supporters
We receive funding from various sources, but one of the most significant is the support we receive through our membership with Main Street America and the Washington State Main Street Program. Businesses who pledge to the WA Main Street Tax Incentive Program receive 75% credit on their state B&O taxes and the entire donation is tax deductible. Those tax dollars are then reinvested in the Downtown Bellingham neighborhood - a true win-win for everyone!
2025 Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Donors
Realty & Property Management
Construction & Building Services
Financial & Legal Institutions
Retailers, Distributors & Consumer Product Manufacturers
Food, Beverage, & Entertainment Venues
Public Utility & Government Partners
Video & Media Production
Education & Personal Health and Well Being Providers
2025 Downtown Sounds Sponsors
2025 Community Events Sponsors
Plus: SPARK Museum | Wild Buffalo | Black Sheep | RAM Construction Avenue Bread | Bellingham Cider Company | Beach Cat Brewing Bellingham Beer Alliance | Boundary Bay Brewing | Hotel Leo Bellingham Bells
First Baptist Church of Bellingham | Rumors Cabaret | Henderson’s Books | Pickford Film Center | AB Crepes | Bellingham Bar & Grill | Bank of the Pacific
Our City of Bellingham Champions
Our work is funded by private and public donors, including service contracts with the City of Bellingham. Thanks to these valuable public funds, DBP can provide landscaping and cleaning, graffiti removal, and operational support for staff. In 2025, the City of Bellingham funded over $390K to DBP's service contracts. We are grateful for this decades-long partnership.
By The Numbers
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Our Office
114 W Magnolia Street, Suite 501
Bellingham
United States