CAMANO ISLAND — Island County commissioners have given planners the go-ahead to move forward with cost estimates and designs for new government offices on Camano Island.
While Camano is part of Island County, the hub for services is on Whidbey Island, more than an hour’s car ride away or a boat trip across Saratoga Passage. The Camano Island Annex houses county offices on the smaller of the islands.
Planners and commissioners say replacing those offices is long overdue. They have been in use for at least three decades. There have been upgrades in recent years, but “it’s like putting lipstick on a pig,” said Commissioner Rick Hannold, who represents Camano Island.
Designs for a new annex, which would replace buildings on Northeast Camano Drive, were floated a decade ago. County government was close to building new offices when the recession hit and cuts were made.
“It’s been on the back burner ever since,” Hannold said. “The people on Camano Island need the same service we provide on Whidbey.”
Earlier this month, the commissioners in a work session instructed facilities director Larry Van Horn to start planning for what they hope will be a less extravagant, less expensive version of plans from 10 years ago, Hannold said.
The project cost of the new annex likely would come in around $4.8 million, based on a 10,000-square-foot work area, according to a memo from Van Horn. An updated project cost from the 2007 designs, in 2018 dollars, would be about $6.7 million, but simplifying plans is expected to shrink that number.
Van Horn has been tasked with working on a more detailed budget. It likely would come back to commissioners in early 2018 for approval.
If budgeting, design and construction go smoothly, Hannold hopes new offices could open in 2020. The campus would combine departments that are somewhat scattered, including the sheriff’s office, public health, the county auditor, administration, planning and permitting, and the commissioners’ office.
Next steps include putting together a volunteer committee to help with design and decor, Hannold said. A notice should go out through the commissioners’ office when it’s time to round up volunteers.
It’s past time Camano Island got new offices, Hannold said.
“They’ve been neglected a long time,” he said. “Now’s the time to do it.”
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.
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