||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||
San Juan County’s Public Works Department is seeking to purchase property on Decatur Island, adjacent to the only developed public marine facility on the island – the barge landing.
The County has entered into a purchase and sale agreement for the acquisition of 458 Davis Beach Rd on Decatur Island for the list price of $750,000. The purchase and sale agreement included a $10,000 earnest money deposit and provides the County with a two-month feasibility period which will conclude on August 29, 2025. The County asks the public to kindly respect the privacy of the current owners as the property is not open to the public at this time.
During the July 15, 2025 County Council meeting, the Public Works Department will be presenting this potential acquisition to the County Council as an opportunity to improve parking and circulation at the essential public facility. With a developed water source, an established residence, and several outbuildings, this property has the potential to contribute to the County’s public services that support Decatur Island residences.
Throughout the two-month feasibility period, the Public Works Department will work through a due diligence process to evaluate the property, engage with the community, and ultimately receive direction from the County Council on this prospective purchase. Decatur property owners and anyone interested in learning about the property are encouraged to attend a community meeting on August 12, 2025 to discuss the potential acquisition further. More details will be provided closer to the event.
About San Juan County’s Public Works Department
San Juan County’s Public Works Department constructs and maintains county roads. The department offices are located at 1609 Beaverton Valley Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Public Works Department, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/277/
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I think this is a great idea. I’m very happy with the counties forward. Thinking to help us on Decatur Island creative better community Landing and parking area.
I am not in support of the purchase by SJC at all. What a terrible deep long term expense beyond the purchase price. The repairs and expense to modify will also run pretty deep. The property would need rezoned as well.
This is a rural island and a large portion wants it to remain a rural island. In winter there are less than 70 full time residents if even that many.
The county already owns THREE waterfront parcels on Decatur Island and have for many years and nothing has been done to any other them for anyone to enjoy. Two of them get nothing done to them and the other may get mowed every five years or so. They also own 5 acres in the middle of the island.
Times of taxpayer money being used for SJC buying properties needs to end.
I have thoughts about this that I will share as a longtime Decatur resident … but first let’s address the cost of this property, one of several the county has been purchasing lately with our tax dollars. Is there really so much money coming in that they need to purchase additional property on Lopez, Shaw and now this $750K of property on Decatur? It makes me wonder if property taxes are too high?!?
Let’s look at the necessity of purchasing this piece of property. Assessed at $497K, the county is happy to purchase it for $750K. Recently the county was going to lease 3 acres at $100 a month TO OPALCO … but now they need additional property that ,with “improvements”, could be apx 1million dollars?
It may seem that the cost is because there is a pressing need for this… There is not. In the last couple years the ramp has seen increased activity as Rock Island has been installing fiber optic (a project that is nearing completion). This poorly chosen property is largely to provide a spot for parking. You can see from the photos that this is beachfront property with a house,so there will be issues of rezoning as this is residential property. Also in the photos, you can see a large pond and may not be able to tell but this is down a hill. This is a very damp piece of land behind the house…
But the larger issue is that there is plenty of parking! HOWEVER:that parking is being taken up by long abandoned vehicles (like more than 5 years). Vehicles with moss and broken windows, owners that no longer live here.THIS is what Decatur needs help with , where the county should be putting its efforts. This property purchase is unnecessary, it’s the worst form of frivolous spending. Decatur needs consistent road maintenance and the removal of these abandoned vehicles. Look at the value of other county properties. Someone recently brought up Hunter’s Bay on Lopez as a comparison. There is a ramp there and they recently improved parking and may have expanded parking slightly. This did not require buying a $750k property with a house and it doesn’t need to here either.
Property taxes are high and I feel like people are almost desensitized to it. It’s unnecessary projects like this that drive them higher. There are those on Decatur who feel like they should be getting something for their taxes… Absolutely agree! But shouldn’t it be a priority item that is wanted & needed rather than a vanity project for the county?