WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County says they have tentatively agreed to buy property on Hannegan Road in Bellingham to build the new jail that’s been in the works for over a decade now.
The new site has a number of advantages compared to the previously planned site on La Bounty Drive in Ferndale.
County Executive Satpal Sidhu says the conditions of the site are better for construction, permitting will be simplified, construction will be quicker, and the site is more conveniently located. The new location is also close to Whatcom County’s Behavioral Health Campus on Division Street.
In addition, the new site is expected to save the county up to $2.5 million in construction costs.
If the proposal is approved by the County Council, the county would buy the property for its assessed value of $4.07 million.
The new site is located on Hannegan Road just south of the Hannegan Speedway.
