In response to questions regarding ownership and future use of the former Vogt property, the Friends of Birch Bay Library can confirm the following:

• Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) purchased the property at 7948 Birch Bay Dr. in 2017.
• WCLS owns the property outright.
• The purchase and sale agreement did not include a clause requiring right of first refusal to any party should WCLS decide to sell the property in the future.
• It is possible that a new owner could decide to remove the house from the property.
• Voting “no” against the library does not ensure that the house will not be removed.

If the ballot measure passes on Feb. 8, WCLS will initiate the public auction of the former Vogt home before beginning construction of the new Birch Bay Vogt Community Library.  The winning bidder would be responsible for all operational, transportation and insurance requirements to lift the house off its foundation and to relocate the building to a new location.

Bottom line: There are no guarantees about the status of the house in the future, but passing the library ballot measure will provide an opportunity for the house to be preserved and relocated.

No action on the possible auction of the house can or will be taken before results of the Feb. 8 election are certified. For more information, contact WCLS Deputy Director Michael Cox, michael.cox@wcls.org.

For accurate information and to stay involved, we hope you’ll join the Friends of the Birch Bay Library, follow on Facebook the Birch Bay Vogt Community Library (@WCLS.BirchBayLibrary) or Friends of Birch Bay Library (@FOBBLibrary), or sign up to receive Birch Bay Library email updates from WCLS. To subscribe, email communityrelations@wcls.org and include Birch Bay Library Updates in the subject line.

Mary Vermillion

Community Relations Manager
Whatcom County Library System