In June 2012, Whatcom County issued a request for jail site property proposals (PDF). As of October 2012, in response to the request for jail site property proposals, Whatcom County received 11 property proposals. The Executive Jail Planning Work Group completed  a final review of all proposals that were submitted. The Interstate 5 and Slater Road (LaBounty) site was selected for additional analysis that included an environmental impact statement, site assessment for possible project implementation and a market value property appraisal.  The Interstate 5 and SlaterRoad (LaBounty) property was purchased on December 13, 2013 following County Council approval through Resolution 2013-051.