Geneva Stormwater Improvements

As part of Whatcom County’s comprehensive stormwater program, Whatcom County Public Works is implementing three projects in the Geneva area to protect public safety and the water quality of Lake Whatcom. Collectively called the Geneva Stormwater Improvements, the projects include improvements to Cable Street, new stormwater facilities along other streets in the neighborhood, and a traffic study to evaluate traffic routing alternatives that address stormwater and safety needs.

The first public meeting for the projects was held on May 25, 2006. It was an open house to view preliminary designs for the Cable Street improvements, designs and proposed locations for the new stormwater facilities, and some initial data from the traffic study. Over 50 citizens attended to provide their comments and suggestions.

Public comments from the May 2006 meeting and the County's responses to them are available in PDF format.

A second public meeting was held on February 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Firs Conference Center at 4605 Cable St. A compilation of comments from this meeting and the County's responses is available here:

Comment/Response Table from Feb 6, 2007 Public Meeting (PDF)

A version that includes all public comments received by February 20 will follow by mid-March. We apologize for the delay.

A third public meeting, which will focus solely on the Cable Street reconstruction project, has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 4, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at the Firs Conference Center at 4605 Cable St.

Project #1: Cable Street Improvements

A section of Cable Street between Lakeview and Lake Whatcom Boulevard needs road and stormwater improvements. This will involve resurfacing the road, stormwater treatment improvements, as well as sidewalks and bicycle lanes—all while reducing the overall amount of roadway impervious surface. Besides enhancing public safety, the Cable Street improvements will ensure that stormwater runoff is treated before it enters into Lake Whatcom. Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2007.

Download a fact sheet that gives a general overview of the project here (PDF, 147 KB). There is also a fact sheet describing the traffic routing that will occur during construction available here (PDF, 279 KB).

Project #2: Stormwater Facilities

In addition to improvements along Cable Street, Whatcom County Public Works also intends to construct other stormwater projects throughout the Geneva neighborhood. Implementing comprehensive stormwater management strategies is a top priority for ensuring the long-term preservation of the County’s largest drinking water supply. The final sites will be selected this spring with construction taking place in July - August 2006.