Year 21 No. 2 $1
February 2013
BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR, PAGE 12
TYLER BYRD, RED ROKK INTERACTIVE
Seasonal losses push local jobless rate to 6.9 percent By Evan Marczynski evan@bbjtoday.com
A conceptual drawing shows one of four buildings the Valdosta, Ga.-based Ambling University Development Group wants to build in its proposed complex, three miles from Western Washington University.
NEW NEIGHBORS
Georgia firm proposes $30M student-housing project for the Puget Neighborhood, but some see nothing but trouble ahead By Evan Marczynski evan@bbjtoday.com
W
hen Charles Perry laid out his company’s plan to build a housing development that could bring hundreds of new college residents to Bellingham’s Puget Neighborhood, he faced a tough crowd. Perry, managing partner for Ambling University Development Group, based in Valdosta, Ga., shared the proposal to an audience of about 120 people in the cafeteria of Carl Cozier Elementary School in early January. Most attendees weren’t happy. Jim Legally, who lives in the nearby Samish Neighborhood, was one of them. “I’ve had it up to here with living around students,” Legally said. “I don’t want them living around me.” Ambling wants to build a 164-
unit complex, called University Ridge, with an estimated development cost of about $30 million. It will consist of four apartment buildings and a detached clubhouse. Residence buildings’ height will vary between four and five stories. According to a project proThe main entrance of the complex will be off of Conposal released by Ambling, the solidation Avenue. ILLUSTRATIONS BY HUMPHREYS & PARTNERS ARCHITECTS complex will be three miles from Western Washable to house ington University, and bordered approximately 576 tenants. by Consolidation Avenue, Puget The development will be built and Nevada streets. It will have a on a steep and heavily wooded, 11.5-acre piece of land roughly HOUSING | Page 6
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While Whatcom County’s first jobless estimate of the year showed a jump in unemployment, economists said overall the county has recently shown some of the best job growth in Washington. The unemployment rate for Whatcom in December was 6.9 percent, according to a preliminary estimate from the state Employment Security Department. That estimate is below the level from December 2011, when unemployment stood at 7.9 percent. But it is up from November
2012, when the jobless rate in Whatcom was estimated at 6.5 percent. Earlier this month, statewide unemployment in December was estimated at 7.6 percent, the lowest rate Washington has reported in four years. Yet economists pointed out that the state’s decreasing workforce—as more out-of-work residents decide to give up their job hunts—could bring “artificial” drops in the unemployment rate. While jobless estimates are seasonally adjusted at the state level, county estimates are not due to
JOBS | Page 3
NORTHWEST REBOOT
The Chrysalis Inn & Spa’s in-house restaurant unveils new look, new menu, new name By Evan Marczynski evan@bbjtoday.com
A
n ownership change last fall at the Chrysalis Inn and Spa in south Bellingham gave the managers of the waterfront hotel’s in-house restaurant and bar a slate for a new concept. Formerly known as Finos, the first-floor eatery operated for years with a “European” theme, suited to a hotel and spa retreat. But the restaurant unveils a new skin in February, with an updated look and menu, as well as a new name: Keenan’s at the Pier.
New executive chef Rob Holmes and restaurant manager Sam Kisbye said they’ve given the establishment a more local vibe. “The direction that we’re going with this new remodel and new
KEENAN’S | Page 7
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
THE 2013 BOOK OF LISTS
Our annual rankings of the top firms in Bellingham and Whatcom County
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