The Lakeway area has long been a commercial and civic district of Bellingham. An area of change and growth, Lakeway typifies the town's dynamic economic and community-oriented climate. It Spans from Holly Street at the eastern edge of downtown Bellingham, to Lake Whatcom's Geneva district. The more notable characteristic emerging in the Lakeway area is the recreational complex taking shape near the Civic Field Stadium complex. Near the stadium and Joe Martin Field, the last couple years have witnessed the development of the Bellingham SportsPlex -- a public ice rink; the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center --the community-owned indoor pool and water park; and several new softball fields below Civic Field. The area has become more accessible with the construction of the Puget Street connector, stretching from Lakeway Drive to Meador Avenue.
The retail and multi-family housing zoning designations, coupled with its proximity to Interstate 5 and Western Washington University, has made new construction in the Lakeway area appealing to developers. Don't expect development in this area to subside anytime soon: The section of hill between Yew and Lincoln streets is one of the major areas civic leaders have targeted as a city growth area during the next 20 years, falling in compliance with the state's Growth Management Act.
