WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. – A local Veterans group and others oppose plans by Whatcom County to tear down a building they say has historic significance.
The county council is considering the plan to demolish the Annex Building at Smith Road and Northwest and replace it with three new buildings that would house county departments.
Local architect Sean Hegstad is among those who want to see the building saved.
He says it was designed by the same architect who created the Bellingham Herald building and other local landmarks.
It’s been used in the past as a home for the indigent, a minimum security work farm and was the Whatcom County Hospital at one time.
This group wants to turn it into a veterans center using private funds.
But Deputy County Executive Tyler Schroeder says the building it too far gone for practical uses.
The planning department is currently using the building and would be among the county departments that would move into new buildings on the site.
Schroeder says the plan is still under consideration and public hearings will be part of the process moving forward.