Paper Whale Partnered with Local Transit Agency

The nonprofit will occupy a former Bellingham market site ahead of future bus station construction.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Openings & Closings

A weathered brick and glass storefront with a vacant interior in a Pacific Northwest city setting. — Nonprofit group Paper Whale has partnered with the Whatcom Transportation Authority to utilize a vacant Bellingham market site for community programs ahead of future transit redevelopment. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your local government prioritize hosting community art spaces in vacant transit-owned properties?

Nonprofit placemaking agency Paper Whale has partnered with the Whatcom Transportation Authority to move into the former Bellingham Public Market property. The site, located on Cornwall Avenue, will host creative studios and community exhibitions.

Why it matters

The partnership allows the agency to transform the vacant space into a creative hub while the transit authority prepares the site for long-term redevelopment. This strategy provides community value and public vibrancy on property currently slated for future infrastructure projects.

The Whatcom Transportation Authority acquired the former Public Market site in 2025 to facilitate its future transit development plans. The property will now host short-term artist studios, workshops, and various public exhibitions.

The players

Paper Whale

This is a Bellingham-based nonprofit organization dedicated to placemaking through artist studios and public exhibitions.

Whatcom Transportation Authority

This is the primary public transit agency responsible for bus operations and infrastructure development in Whatcom County.

The details

Paper Whale intends to activate the site with artist-focused programming and community events until the transit agency begins the build-out of a new bus station. The arrangement enables the agency to manage the property efficiently while preventing long-term vacancy during the planning phase.

The Whatcom Transportation Authority expressed interest in buying the building in 2024.
The transit agency completed its purchase of the site in 2025.
Paper Whale announced the official partnership on September 24, 2026.

Market Landscape

This move mirrors the growing trend of municipal transit agencies partnering with local nonprofits to maintain property vibrancy before major infrastructure projects start. It positions the agency as a community-conscious landowner while providing the local arts sector with a rare downtown venue.

Local residents and artists will gain access to new workshop and exhibition spaces located on Cornwall Avenue. This transition prevents the building from remaining a vacant property, instead offering immediate cultural utility to the downtown community.

The takeaway

Short-term partnerships between public agencies and nonprofits can effectively bridge the gap between property acquisition and future development. Residents interested in local creative programming should look for upcoming exhibition schedules at the Cornwall Avenue site.