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Ferndale Civic Campus Project
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November 4, 2025 - Parking Update
Progress continues at the future Civic Campus site! As construction advances, we want to thank everyone for your continued patience and cooperation while we navigate parking lot impacts and on-site activity during the building phase of the new City Hall. Read on...
Rendering of proposed City Hall
Project Summary
Existing City facilities are no longer adequate to support City functions. The Ferndale Municipal Court was identified by the Washington Supreme Court as one of the most-deficient courtrooms in Washington State as a result of holding court in an ill-fitting location. Despite the growing needs of the City itself, City Hall cannot support additional staffing - there simply is not the space.
Finally, community service organizations lack sufficient space to provide necessary support to the greater Ferndale area. Without adequate room to provide services, our most vulnerable residents are forced to seek help in Bellingham making it more and more difficult for them to stay in the community that they know and love.
The solution is the Ferndale Civic Campus.
As proposed, a new, 19,000 square foot structure will be built on existing City property between the existing City Hall and the Ferndale Public Library. The new facility would include Ferndale Municipal Court combined with City Council chambers, and professional staff offices and public meeting rooms. The existing city hall will be converted to professional office space and is intended to house the City's nonprofit partners such as the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, Community Service Cooperative, domestic violence advocate, Main Street Program, and other service providers within Ferndale's Downtown Core.
Bid Information
- Invitation to Bid (PDF)
- Bid Opening: July 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM
- Project Specifications & Plans are available for view and download on Builders Exchange of Washington Inc. (BXWA).
- Plan Holders List (PDF)
News and Information
- October 8, 2025 - Ferndale Record "Ferndale breaks ground on Civic Campus"
- August 23, 2025 - The Bellingham Herald "A new Civic Campus will soon house Ferndale’s government facilities. Take a look"
- August 22, 2025 - Ferndale Record "Ferndale's Civic Campus moves forward"
- August 22, 2025 - Cascadia Daily News "Ferndale awards $15.5M bid for long-awaited civic campus project"
- June 11, 2025 - Ferndale Record "Ferndale City Council gets recap on Civic Campus Project"
- August 14, 2024 - Cascadia Daily News "Ferndale's Civic Campus project promises more efficiency, security for city workers"
- July 17, 2023 - City Council approves phase 2 design contract with Zervas Group
- July 12, 2023 - City Council Committee discusses financing options and design contract
- January 3, 2023 - City Council approves phase 1 design contract with Zervas Group
- August 2, 2022 - RFQ for Design Services (PDF)
- April 4, 2022 - City Council passes resolution in support of seeking federal funding for Civic Campus
- March 16, 2022 - Ferndale receives funding for site planning and design from Washington State in 2022 Legislative session
- January 18, 2022 - City Lobbyist Brian Enslow discusses legislative asks with Council
- May 12, 2021 - City Council Committee reviews design ideas for Civic Campus
- September 21, 2020 - Review of interim and permanent facility needs
- March 16, 2020 - City Council reviews site options and selects preferred location for Civic Campus
1. What is the Ferndale Civic Campus Project?
The Ferndale Civic Campus Project involves constructing a new, purpose-built facility to house City Hall, the Municipal Court, City Council chambers, and administrative offices. This 19,000-square-foot, two-story building will be located between the current City Hall and the Ferndale Public Library, replacing the outdated "pizza annex" building.
2. Why is this project necessary?
The existing City Hall, originally built as a bank in the 1980s, and the Municipal Court, housed in a 1950s-era fire station, are no longer adequate for the City's needs. The Washington State Supreme Court identified the current Municipal Court as one of the most deficient courtrooms in the state. Additionally, limited space has hindered the City's ability to expand staff and services to meet the growing needs of the community.
3. What are the key features of the new Civic Campus?
- Size & Structure: Approximately 19,000 square feet over two stories, constructed with wood framing over a concrete parking garage.
- Facilities Included: Municipal Court, City Council chambers, administrative offices for Public Works, Planning, Building, Finance, and Probation departments.
- Sustainability: Designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification standards, featuring high-efficiency HVAC systems and compliance with the City's EAGLE program requirements.
4. What will happen to the current City Hall building?
The existing City Hall will be repurposed into a community services hub, providing office space for nonprofit organizations such as the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, Ferndale Community Services, domestic violence support services, and other local providers.
5. What is the project's budget and how is it funded?
The Ferndale City Council awarded the construction contract to Dawson Construction for $15.5 million. The project is funded through a combination of city reserves, state and federal grants, real estate excise taxes, and a 20-year municipal bond.
6. When will construction begin and how long will it take?
Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2025. The project timeline will be determined based on construction progress and weather conditions.
7. How will this project benefit the community?
- Improved Services: Enhanced facilities will allow for more efficient delivery of city services.
- Safety: Modernized court and administrative spaces will address current safety and security concerns.
- Community Engagement: The new Civic Campus will provide accessible spaces for public meetings and community events.
- Support for Nonprofits: Repurposing the existing City Hall will offer much-needed space for local nonprofit organizations to serve the community in one location.
8. Will there be any disruptions during construction?
While construction activities may cause temporary inconveniences, the City will implement measures to minimize disruptions to nearby residents and businesses. Regular updates will be provided on the City’s website and social media channels to keep the community informed.
9. How can I stay informed about the project's progress?
Updates and additional information will be available on the City of Ferndale's official website, social media, and through public meetings. Residents are encouraged to subscribe to city newsletters and attend council meetings for the latest developments.