Federal Building in downtown Bellingham could become arts center

The city's Public Development Authority board is developing plans that could transform the old downtown Federal Building into a home for a Western Washington University program to help local artists develop successful art-based businesses.
Mayor Dan Pike recently named Dan Guyette, dean of WWU's College of Fine and Performing Arts, to the authority board.
At a Tuesday, Sept. 20, board meeting, Guyette said the center would serve as an "arts business accelerator" in which groups of artists would get help from students and faculty from the College of Business and Economics to develop business plans.