City News

2022 Stormwater Management Program Plan Update

The City of Ferndale updates the Stormwater Management Program as a response to specific conditions within the “Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit” that authorizes the City of Ferndale to discharge stormwater.

Per the Permit, this program summary will be updated each year and will be available to the public. Participation and comments  are welcome and may be directed to City of Ferndale Stormwater staff stormwater@cityofferndale.org. The comment period for the draft 2022 Stormwater Management Program Program began February 14, 2022 and ended March 16, 2022.

The 2022 Stormwater Management Program can be found by clicking here or on our “What is Stormwater” page.

February 14, 2022

Notice of Traffic Revision: Monday, February 14th through Friday, April 1st, 2022, 7am–7pm

LaBounty Drive, between Les Schwab Tire Center and Smith Road

Drivers should expect delays as traffic is reduced to single lane traffic on LaBounty Drive, between the Les Schwab Tire Center and Smith Road beginning Monday, February 14th and lasting through Friday, April 1st, between the hours of 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Flaggers will be onsite to direct traffic. Road will remain open during nonworking hours. This work is to complete shoulder improvements associated with a private development project.

 

February 14, 2022

Notice of Traffic Revision: Monday, February 14th through Friday, February 25th, 2022, 7am–7pm

Thornton Street between Shannon Ave. and Maureen Dr.

Drivers should expect delays as traffic is reduced to single lane traffic on Thornton Street between Shannon Ave. and Maureen Dr. from Monday, February 14th through Friday, February 25th, between the hours of 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Flaggers will be onsite to direct traffic and pedestrians around the work zone. Road will remain open during nonworking hours. This work is to complete utility work associated with a private development project.

February 14, 2022

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

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

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

Ferndale Police Seek Public’s Help Locating Homicide Suspect

Ferndale Police Seek Public’s Help Locating Homicide Suspect

On 01/23/2022 shortly after midnight, the Ferndale Police responded to a report of a shooting at a large party. Responding officers located a victim on the ground outside who had sustained two gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to the hospital and later succumbed to his injuries.

An arrest warrant has been issued for as MIGUEL ANGEL MIRANDA (06/13/1998) in connection with this homicide.  He was last seen in a white 2010 Acura, Washington License BYD1918, with dark tinted windows and black wheels. The police department is seeking the public’s help in locating Miguel Miranda and the vehicle involved. Miranda is considered armed and dangerous.

If you see or know the whereabouts of Miranda, please call 9-1-1 DO NOT approach him.

January 27, 2022