Thurston County finalizes 14.3 million building purchase for new sheriff station

Thurston County has successfully completed the purchase of a new building for its Sheriff's Office, investing $14. 25 million in a 56,000-square-foot facility located at 1111 Israel Road SW. This acquisition is part of a broader strategy to consolidate policing operations and improve public safety services for a rapidly growing community, which has surpassed a population of 307,000. The total project cost is estimated to reach about $20 million, including $4 million for renovations and additional expenses for a vehicle impound facility and an outdoor shooting range. This project is made possible by the community's support of the Public Safety Sales Tax approved in November 2023.

Sheriff Derek Sanders emphasized that the new building will facilitate better information sharing and quicker response times, thereby enhancing service delivery to the community. The county expects to complete the design phase by June and begin construction in August, with plans for staff to transition into the new facility by spring 2026. Commissioner Wayne Fournier noted that the acquisition reflects a commitment to sustainable and cost-effective public safety solutions. The decision to purchase rather than build from the ground up aims to save taxpayer dollars while meeting the evolving needs of law enforcement.