We're expanding
PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center is growing to meet our community's needs
We are deeply committed to being this community’s health partner and are honored to have served this community for over 130 years. As Whatcom County has grown, so have we. It’s time again to expand, allowing us to continue serving the community and its healthcare needs.
Please use the form below to submit any construction-related questions, concerns or comments.
Construction Timeline
The planning, permitting, and construction of new healthcare facilities is a lengthy process and requires numerous state and local approvals. Here is a summary of the work completed to date, along with a timeline for future construction.
Future Timeline
June 2026:
- Chapel renovations take place June 15-29. The Physicians Dining Room area, located at the back of the North Tower Cafeteria, will serve as an alternative location for quiet reflection or prayer.
- Temporary fire/emergency egress path marked on floor of North Tower Cafeteria.
- Preparation for demolition of former main lobby continues; pedestrian routes to North Tower Cafeteria, Gift Nook, Pharmacy and Chapel are reconfigured.
July 2027:
- Preparation for demolition of old hospital main entrance begins.
- Next phase of construction of Emergency Department access driveway and pedestrian path from Central Parking Garage begins. Work will include landscaping, electrical infrastructure placement and concrete pads.
August 2026:
- Exterior window screening installation on east side of North Tower and South Tower as a safety measure.
2027: Central Utility Plant upgrades completed to support new pavilion.
TBD: Paulsen Pavilion construction ends.
2028: Paulsen Pavilion opens to the public.
2028: Emergency Department expansion and renovation begins.
Completed Work
Early 2021: PeaceHealth began planning an expansion with an amendment to our Institutional Master Plan (IMP).
September 2023: Bellingham City Council approved IMP amendment.
June 2024: New parking garage opened to the public.
Summer 2024: First phase of Squalicum Parkway improvements completed.
January 2025: Bellingham City Council approved the Planned Development Permit for the future Paulsen Pavilion.
March 2025: Certificate of need issued by Washington State.
April 2025: Preliminary construction on the Paulsen Pavilion begins.
July 2025: West Entrance and roundabout close. East Tower becomes main entrance for duration of project.
September 2025:
- Work begins on the Central Utility Plant near the hospital loading dock.
- Phase 1 of the Emergency Department parking lot integration begins with trenching and walkway reconstruction between the Medical Arts Clinic/Bunker Building and the southeast corner of the hospital.
November 2025:
- Squalicum Parkway improvements completed.
- Emergency vehicle access route at Squalicum Parkway and Ellis Street fenced off for trenching to install utilities and reconstruct ADA ramps.
December 2025:
- Statue of St. Joseph and Baby Jesus moved and placed in storage for safekeeping until project is complete.
- Temporary weekday courtesy shuttle for patients and visitors traveling between parking areas and East Tower entrance, available 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
January 2026
- Emergency vehicle drive lane at Squalicum and Ellis reopened.
February 2026
- All drive lanes for pickup and dropoff at ER reopen. Access open at Squalicum and Ellis and farther west on Squalicum Parkway.
- Staging begins in former North Tower main lobby for relocation of switchboard office and eventual demolition of former main lobby.
March 2026
- Air duct installation near the Emergency Department is complete and all parking spaces are accessible.
April 2026
- Third Community Forum held at PeaceHealth St. Joseph on April 2.
- Leadership team views mockup of Peter Paulsen Pavilion exterior at Mukilteo fabrication plant.
May 2026
- Emergency Department parking lot on the west side of the main ED entrance off Squalicum Parkway—a total of 33 stalls— is closed for installation of stormwater infrastructure. This will have a significant impact on the availability of public parking through the remaining duration of the project.
- Weather-protective canopy structures were installed over all three Central Parking Garage stairwells.
Construction Updates
Construction updates will be provided here. Please check back regularly for the latest information.
Week of March 9, 2026
Construction Updates
- As of May 11, the Emergency Department parking lot on the west side of the main ED entrance off Squalicum Parkway—a total of 33 stalls— is closed to allow for the installation of stormwater infrastructure. This has a significant impact on the availability of public parking through the remaining duration of the project. Additional signage has been installed to help guide visitors, and flyers are available at the ED and East Tower entrances provide a simple map showing alternative parking options.
- Chapel renovations are taking place June 15-29. The Physicians Dining Room area, located at the back of the North Tower Cafeteria, will serve as an alternative location for quiet reflection or prayer.
- Preparation for demolition of the former main lobby is continuing. Pedestrian routes to North Tower Cafeteria, Gift Nook, Pharmacy and Chapel are being reconfigured as needed.
- Weather-protective canopy structures were installed over all three Central Parking Garage stairwells.
- A weekday courtesy shuttle for patients and visitors traveling between the parking garages and the East Tower entrance and Northwest Medical Center, aka Fountain Building, is continuing. The shuttle, a black van, operates most weekdays between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and does not follow a formal schedule. Please speak with Security at the East Tower front desk for assistance.
- Follow signs to East Tower hospital entrance. Park in Central Parking Garage or North Parking Garage for easiest access to hospital entrance.
- Temporary weekday courtesy shuttle for patients and visitors traveling between parking areas and East Tower entrance, available 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Please understand that the schedule may change.