SANDY POINT, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A local fire district is one step closer to opening a new station.

Whatcom County Fire District 17 is receiving $2.2 million in low-interest loans from the Washington State Treasurer’s Office to relocate its station out of a flood zone.

The district was hit by two coastal floods in 2022 that destroyed its Sandy Point fire station and part of its equipment, resulting in about $750,000 in damages.

Fire Chief Jim Petrie said the station narrowly avoided damage from last year’s floods.

“Asking our taxpayers to fund a construction bond along with our current operational levy was not an option so we had to think outside the box on how we could fund this project,” Petrie said. “The low-interest loan we obtained through the LOCAL Program was the most cost-effective path forward as it allows us to spread out the construction cost over several years and make payments using our current tax levy monies.”

The new station will be located on Slater Road near Neptune Beach with an elevated, 11-acre property that was donated by the Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery.

Construction is expected to begin by August and Petrie is hoping to begin operations out of the new station by the end of November before flood season.

The state loan will be financed over 20 years, with the fire district putting up about $300,000 more of its own funds.