Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office proposes move to Cordata

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office has proposed to move to a new location in the Cordata neighborhood in Bellingham.

The new location would be 4600 Ryzex Way, which was formerly the headquarters of Ryzex, Inc., a manufacturer of printing technology. Whatcom County officials said in an October 27 press release announcing the location that the building’s 30,000-square-foot layout and close proximity to Guide Meridian Road make it an ideal spot for the sheriff’s office.

Before moving forward, Whatcom County Council will need to approve the lease agreement, which it’s expected to consider during its November 5 meeting.

The sheriff’s office has voiced concern about the condition of its current office, which is in the basement of the county jail in downtown Bellingham. Such concerns include space limitations and an aged structure that includes ceiling leaks and interview rooms without soundproofing.

“Moving the sheriff’s office administration out of the jail basement was a top priority for me from day one,” Sheriff Donnell Tanksley wrote in a statement. “For the first time in nearly a century, the sheriff’s office will have a dedicated, safe and appropriate workspace of its own.” 

If approved, county executive Satpal Sidhu wrote in the announcement that relocation could start as early as next summer.

The lease term would run through the end of 2033, with an annual base rent of about $507,100. There are options for two-year extensions, and the county also reserves the option to purchase the property.

The sheriff’s office and the county’s facilities team are working closely to determine needed security upgrades.