Is Bellingham Public Works pushing the $1.4 million center-of-street curb project on Alabama Street because they want to spend a federal grant? Is there actually little or no need for the curb? Would lowering the speed limit or other practical but low cost measures fix the safety problem?

The Herald’s reporter, he of “objective reporting,” finally made one brief mention of this aspect in his story in today’s Herald. Seems the desire to spend grant money played a small or big part in the city’s many disparaging attitudes toward resident concerns. Looks like maybe a real big part.

Riley Sweeney has a short post on this - plus a second graphic showing the original plan. Yes, we hope to learn more. Do you know more? We protect our sources. Map courtesy of Riley.

- John Servais