BELLINGHAM - Whatcom County officials were considering contractors' bids last week on a $1.5 million project to update the façade of the county's Civic Center Annex, 322 N. Commercial St.

Construction could begin before the end of the year, said Mike Russell, county facilities manager.

Workers will install energy-efficient windows and better insulation, he said. The exterior will get an updated look, said project manager Amy Zimmerman of Zervas Group, the Bellingham architectural firm working on the project.

County employees will continue to work in the building during construction. The four-story annex houses the Public Works Department and the Division of Emergency Management. The project might include minor changes to the fourth floor to make room for another county department to move in, Russell said.

Reach RALPH SCHWARTZ at ralph.schwartz@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2266.