News

Thornton Overpass Bridge Construction to Begin in April

Contrary to Mom’s advice about settling – we’re excited to say we’ve thoroughly enjoyed that sinking feeling and have hit bottom!

Over the past 18 months, the soils beneath the embanked approaches to the new Thornton Overpass have compressed and settled to the point work can begin on the bridge. Work on the project hasn’t been idle while the settlement period was underway.  Over the last year and a half, the City’s contractor, Strider Construction, completed wetland mitigation work, has built a new stormwater pond, and has installed thousands of feet of new public utility infrastructure leading up to the overpass. Even with all this work completed, the project has not quite hit the midpoint of work to be done.

In the next couple of months, construction of the bridge will begin and continue for the remainder of the project, as will the remaining utility work, paving and pedestrian improvements.  At the same time, the City will be rebuilding the section of Thornton Street between Vista Drive and Malloy Drive so drivers and pedestrians will enjoy a smooth experience entering and exciting the new Overpass. Both projects are on target for completion in 2023.  For more details and updates, visit www.cityofferndale.org/thornton or #ThorntonOverpass.

 

February 14, 2022

Remote Meeting Notice – Wednesday, February 16, 2022 Council Committees & Committee of the Whole

The regularly scheduled Council Committee and Committee of the  Whole meetings on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams, with staff and Councilmembers accessing the meeting from individual locations. This complies with Governor Jay Inslee’s Proclamation 20-28, as extended until further notice.

These are still open public meetings as defined by the Open Public Meetings Act. The City will be using Microsoft Teams to livestream the meeting. Members of the public do not need to download anything to view the proceedings. To join the live event, click on the following links:

The Public Works & Utilities Committee meeting is cancelled.

The Planning & Land Use Committee meeting begins at 9:00 a.m.

The Finance & Administration Committee meeting begins at 10:00 a.m.

The Committee of the Whole meeting begins at 11:00 a.m.

February 14, 2022

Ferndale Uses COVID Relief Funds to Jump Start Downtown

Mayor Greg Hansen with Ferndale’s Downtown

Ferndale Uses COVID Relief Funds to Jump Start Downtown

Thanks to an infusion of COVID relief funds, the City is launching a number of initiatives aimed at improving Ferndale’s downtown. Of the approximately $4.2 million the City is set to receive from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), here are some of the ways the City is using that money to support our downtown:

Main Street Program: The City has allocated $400,000 to establish a Main Street Program, complete with events, programing and a paid executive director, to pursue economic development for our downtown core. These seed funds would help the program get established however it is intended to be self-sustaining in the following years. Rather than relying on the previous volunteer efforts of the Ferndale Downtown Association, this program can promote redevelopment efforts, beautification and bring fresh economic activity to Ferndale’s downtown core.

In addition to this seed funding for the Main Street Program, the City has provided an additional $450,000 to the program, including $200,000 for grants or loans to incoming businesses that will support Downtown revitalization, $200,000 for grants or loans to existing businesses which seek to grow or change in a manner that supports revitalization or who undertake improvements to respond to COVID-19, and $50,000 for Downtown beautification efforts and/or matching funds for beautification efforts that the Program may wish to pursue.

Business Interruption Grants: The City has allocated $200,000 to the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce to distribute as business interruption grants for Ferndale businesses impacted by COVID-related closures. The city anticipates that a majority of the grants will be targeted at businesses with 20 or less employees.

Supporting the Community Resource Center: The City has allocated $400,000 to the Ferndale Community Service Cooperative to hire a full-time executive director and expand services to the city’s most vulnerable who have been hit hardest by the pandemic. This is also a seed money investment with the goal of the Cooperative becoming self-sustaining at the conclusion of this grant.

The Cooperative is currently working with our state legislators to secure additional funding for a community navigator position that would help those experiencing hardship navigate local resources and services.

All of these initiatives are supported by COVID relief funds and do not impact the City’s general fund.

“While all of these efforts are worthwhile on their own merits, taken together, they are an unprecedented investment in Ferndale’s future,” said Mayor Greg Hansen. “While the impacts of the pandemic are still being felt, the decisions we make today put us on the path to come roaring back.”

 

February 10, 2022

I-5 Southbound On-Ramp at Main Street Closed Overnight Feb.5-6th

Overnight maintenance to close on-ramp of I-5 in Ferndale, starting Feb. 5

FERNDALE – Travelers in the local area and along southbound Interstate 5 should plan for an overnight closure of the on-ramp at Main Street exit (milepost 262.5), beginning Saturday, Feb. 5. Crews from the Washington State Department of Transportation will close the southbound on-ramp to complete guardrail repairs.

What travelers can expect:

  • From 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5 to 5 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, the southbound Main Street exit on-ramp will be closed at milepost 262.5.
  • A signed detour will be in place for drivers looking to access southbound I-5 from Main Street. Drivers will be directed to use an alternate route; south on Pacific Highway, Slater Road to southbound I-5 interchange at 260.

For the safety of the people working, drivers are encouraged to reduce speeds while traveling through the work zone. Get real-time traffic information on the WSDOT North Twitter account and WSDOT traffic app

February 4, 2022

Remote Meeting Notice – Monday, February 7, 2022 City Council Meeting

The City Council meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 7, 2022  will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams, with staff and Councilmembers accessing the meeting from individual locations. This complies with Governor Jay Inslee’s Proclamation 20-28, as extended until further notice.

This is still an open public meeting as defined by the Open Public Meetings Act. The City will be using Microsoft Teams to livestream the council meeting. Members of the public do not need to download anything to view the proceedings. To join the meeting, click here.

Included in Monday’s meeting are two public hearings. Members of the public who wish to  provide comment for the public hearing may do so by one of the following methods:

  1. Email Community Development Director Michael Cerbone at michaelcerbone@cityofferndale.org prior to the meeting.
  2. Phone in when the Mayor announces the opening of the public hearing. 360-685-2367
  3. In person at the City Hall Main Conference Room, 2095 Main Street. There is limited capacity for in-person attendance. Those wishing to offer a comment in person will be required to wear a face mask and observe social distancing requirements.

 

Members of the public who wish to submit comments on items not on the agenda are encouraged to submit written comments to City Clerk Susan Duncan by emailing susanduncan@cityofferndale.org. Comments received prior to 4:30 p.m. Monday, February 7, 2022 will be read during the public comment period of the meeting and included in the meeting record. For more details on submitting public comments for a remote meeting click here.

February 4, 2022

Ferndale Homicide Suspect Arrested in Arizona

Ferndale Homicide Suspect Arrested in Arizona

Miguel-Angel Miranda was arrested on Friday, January 28th in Phoenix, Arizona in connection with the recent Ferndale shooting and homicide on January 23rd.

The vehicle that Miranda was believed to be in was initially picked up by a license plate reader outside Kingsman, Arizona which alerted the Ferndale Police Department. Ferndale detectives, with the assistance of detectives from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, worked to quickly develop information on possible addresses for all known associates of Miranda in the greater Phoenix area.

Using this information, the Phoenix Police Department spotted Miranda and subsequently took him into custody. The associated vehicle was later located in Ogden, Utah.

Miranda has prior court cases in Phoenix to resolve and then will be transported to Whatcom County to face charges of second-degree murder.

Currently, the Ferndale Police Department is seeking information about two witnesses to the initial shooting on January 23rd. Their names are Jimmy Abitia and Michael Archouletta. If the public has contact information for either of those men, please submit that information to the Ferndale Police Department (360-384-3390 or contact@ferndalepd.org).

February 1, 2022