A new location is proposed for the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office could soon have a new home in Bellingham’s Cordata neighborhood, marking a long-awaited move toward improving the department’s operations and relocating workers from obsolete facilities beneath the County Jail.
County officials have negotiated a tentative agreement to lease Ryzex, Inc.’s former headquarters, located at 4600 Ryzex Way. The 30,000-square-foot facility has direct access to the Guide Meridian and a layout ideal for police enforcement administration and operations.
The proposal calls for an annual base rent of $507,132, which is consistent with current commercial market rates. The lease would last until 2033, with the option of two more two-year renewals. The County would also have the opportunity to purchase the property in the future. County officials have hailed the $507,000 yearly lease as a cost-effective rent solution. The Cordata property will serve as an interim headquarters while the County evaluates options for a long-term project.
Ryanna Capital, managed by former Whatcom County Council member Rud Browne, owns the building. Browne is also the founder and previous chairman of The Ryzex Group, a global mobile technology services provider that specializes in the lifecycle management of mobile computers, barcode systems, and RFID solutions.
County Executive Satpal Sidhu, who served on the County Council with Browne from 2016 to 2020, stated in an official announcement that the proposed lease reflects years of collaborative effort to find a long-term solution for the Sheriff’s Office’s facility needs. “After an extensive search and evaluation of both leasing and construction options, this proposal offers a practical and cost-effective path forward,” according to Sidhu. He stated that, pending approval by the County Council on November 5, the Sheriff’s Office may shift to the new space as early as summer 2026.
Sheriff Donnell “Tank” Tanksley described the idea as a watershed moment for the department. “For the first time in nearly a century, the Sheriff’s Office will have a dedicated, safe, and functional workspace designed for its unique needs,” he told reporters. “I’m grateful for the staff whose input helped bring this issue to the forefront and for the County’s commitment to making it happen.”
The Sheriff’s Office currently functions from the basement of the Whatcom County Jail, which was primarily constructed for detention operations rather than administrative or investigative work. Officials have long highlighted structural and environmental difficulties, including restricted space, poor ventilation, and windowless workrooms, as major barriers.
If granted, the Cordata property will provide an immediate, practical solution as Whatcom County plans long-term enhancements to its public safety facilities.
This idea differs from the Whatcom Jail project, which is still being planned for Ferndale along Labounty. Bellingham Metro News wrote and published this article independently. No payment, promises, or gifts were made in exchange for its publishing.
Sources: Whatcom County Official Memorandum, Whatcom County Council Member List, E-Trakit to Verify Building Ownership, and Ryanna Capital Website.
Article written by Ujala Umair (Ujalaehsan1995@yahoo.com).