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Historic change is coming to historic Fairhaven.

For the first time ever, visitors to the commercial center on Bellingham’s south side must pay for parking starting May 1 — unless Dirty Dan Harris managed a horse-and-buggy parking structure we don’t know about.

Paid parking comes after decades of studies and a number of measures intended to manage the neighborhood’s increasing parking demand. Eventually, parking became enough of a squeeze that a  recommended charging drivers a fee for the privilege of taking up spaces. 

Hence the pay stations installed on just about every street corner in Fairhaven, ready to accept money starting May 2 (since May 1 is a Sunday).

Change is never easy, and it’s no surprise that people are unhappy with Bellingham's new parking regime, which is coming to Fairhaven and downtown both. 

The hourly rate for parking downtown increases to $1, which is the same rate that will be charged in Fairhaven. Paid parking will be enforced on Saturdays, too, not just weekdays. The City Council also voted to increase the citation for illegal parking from $15 to $30.