BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Whatcom County Council has voted on the location of a proposed new jail.

During a special session on Tuesday afternoon, June 13th, councilmembers voted 6-1 to have the new jail built on LaBounty Drive in Ferndale.

That location was found to be the most cost-effective, and had the most potential for future expansion, if necessary.

The jail is estimated to cost about $137 million, and would take about three years to build.

Councilmembers argued that two other potential locations in downtown Bellingham and the Irongate neighborhood would be too expensive to build and impractical for future modifications.

Voters still have to vote on funding for the new jail.

Previous ballot measures for a new jail were rejected by voters in 2015 and 2017.

County councilmembers will finalize the language on the new ballot measure at their next meeting on June 20th.