BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Bellingham Public Works has begun its first downtown alley closure following the passage of a new ordinance.

The city says that crews installed fencing at the entrances of the alley located between Railroad Avenue and Cornwall Avenue.

A two-block stretch of the alleyway between Holly and Champion Streets will be cleaned and upgraded with new security features during the temporary closure.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that City Councilmembers voted to approve an ordinance allowing the closures earlier this month.

Public Works says that the closure is meant to disrupt an ongoing pattern of drug dealing and using within the alleys.

There is no estimate for the alley’s reopening date.