County sells, buys Orcas Island property

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

San Juan County is taking steps to reorganize County staff on Orcas Island. With the Senior Center Nonprofit’s purchase of the Senior Center building, and the purchase of a new building on Fern Street, the County will be establishing new spaces for County staff to continue serving the public on Orcas Island.

Orcas Senior Center Nonprofit Buys Senior Center Building 

On October 3, 2024, the Orcas Senior Center nonprofit purchased the County’s 49% share of the senior center building at 62 Henry Road. The County is thrilled the nonprofit is able to realize its long-term goal of owning the building and renovate to better suit their needs. Over the years, County staff have enjoyed partnering with the nonprofit to provide valuable services to Orcas seniors. This partnership will continue, and the County looks forward to supporting the nonprofit into the future. The County’s senior services staff will continue to be hosted in the Senior Center building.

San Juan County Purchases Building on Fern Street 

On October 15, San Juan County closed on the purchase of 531 Fern Street in Eastsound. Primarily funded by the sale of the County’s portion of the senior center building, this approximately 3,000 sq ft office building will host County staff formerly located at the Senior Center building.

“This building is a great solution to the County’s space needs,” said Greg Sawyer, the County’s Facilities Director. “It’s centrally located on the island and provides us with enough space to host Orcas-based staff.”

Staff from the Auditor’s Office, Conservation Land Bank, and Noxious Weeds have used office space on Orcas Island and will be transitioned to the new building in 2025. The County Councilmember for District 2 will also have an office in the Fern Street building.  

Additional information about the location of County services on Orcas Island will be shared as it is available. The County is eager to continue providing quality services at the Senior Center and serving Orcas Islanders at an additional location.