Meeting recap: Community discusses Sheriff substation move on Lopez with County officials and staff

Published 1:30 am Thursday, October 2, 2025

Submitted by San Juan County.

The relocation of the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office Lopez Island substation was discussed at a publicly noticed community meeting on Lopez Island this week. This move is planned to bring in a new building to the County’s parcel at the back of its Public Works site along Fisherman Bay Road. During the June 10 and Aug. 19 meetings, Council was briefed on the process of identifying a new location for the Sheriff’s Office substation, and a community meeting on Sept. 22 created the opportunity for the County to brief the public and answer questions about the move.

Background

The Sheriff’s Office has been renting office space from the Lopez Fire District for the past several years. The Fire District is interested in expanding its operations within its building and notified the County on March 25 that it would no longer be able to extend the County’s lease. The County’s lease for the Sheriff’s Office substation on Lopez Island will end on Dec. 31, prompting the need to look for a new location.

Sheriff Eric Peter helped identify a path forward, utilizing a surplus building from Island County and extra space at the County’s existing Public Works property along Fisherman Bay Road. The sheriffs of Island and San Juan counties have worked together to arrange for the building’s transfer, saving local taxpayers the cost of renting a new unit. The County’s parcel, located at 2419 Fisherman Bay Road, is centrally located on the island, allowing for easy public access and dispatch opportunities. This parcel can accommodate the 26-by-38-foot modular unit the County will receive from Island County to serve as the new substation.

Community meeting review

Sheriff Eric Peter and Councilmember Jane Fuller, accompanied by other County staff, held the meeting on Monday, Sept. 22, at the Public Works site along Fisherman Bay Road. Together with representatives from the Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District, attendees discussed how to share the space and provide continuity of services to the public. Residents asked questions, provided feedback and learned about next steps.

Some community members expressed interest in the other locations that were considered for the substation. County officials shared that an internal working group was formed in April to discuss options for the relocation of Sheriff’s Office services. All available County properties, as well as for-lease spaces on the island, were reviewed in April and May, and findings were presented to the County Council.

Next steps

Island County has officially surplused the modular unit, and renovation work will begin on site on Camano Island until it is moved to Lopez. It is anticipated that the unit will be in place in October with all connections/work done by Thanksgiving, to allow the Sheriff’s Office one month to prepare the space before vacating the Fire District building and commencing operations in the new location. There will be no changes to the operations of the Sheriff’s Office on Lopez Island. A new location for Juvenile Services provided on Lopez by the Superior Court of San Juan County will be confirmed before the end of the year.

Questions? Contact Sheriff Eric Peter, ericp@sanjuancountywa.gov.