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
Please note that the following dates are tentative and are subject to change.
March 2026:
- Crane will be on site March 31 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to install a stormwater vault in the construction zone near the west Squalicum Parkway entrance. The crane will not affect driveway or parking access or obstruct helicopter flight path.
April 2026:
- Next community healthcare forum Thursday, April 2, 5 p.m.-6 p.m. at St. Luke’s Health Education Center, 3333 Squalicum Parkway.
- Rain covers will be installed in the Central Garage stairwells beginning in late April. The work, which will take about one month, should not have any impact on elevator or stairwell access, although it will block a handful of parking spaces.
May 2026
- Demolition of the former main lobby in the North Tower will begin on Monday, May 4. This work will require relocation of the switchboard office and will encroach on a section of the Gift Nook, requiring temporary relocation and storage of some displays and inventory.
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 28, 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.
- Overflow ED parking next to Northwest Medical Center fenced off for use as construction staging area.
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 Feb. 26, 2026, Most parking spaces near Emergency Department entrance have reopened. Electrical duct installation in this area is in final phase, with minimal disruption to ED parking or access.
- The entire looping drive lane in front of the ED entrance has reopened, which means motorists dropping off or picking up patients curbside at the ED door are once again able to enter through the west ED driveway off Squalicum Parkway, drive up the hill and around the building to exit the way they came in.
- The emergency vehicle driveway access farther east at Squalicum Parkway and Ellis remains open for patient drop-off or pickup.
- We have designated six spaces on the east side of the Northwest Medical Center, aka Fountain Building, for ED overflow parking. They’re just on the left when you drive onto campus at Squalicum Parkway and Ellis Street.
- 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 through the duration of the project. The shuttle, a black van with California plates, is identified as a PeaceHealth vehicle. It 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 Towe front desk for assistance.
- You can now view time lapse videos (see below) compiled of still shots from a camera overlooking the main Peter Paulsen Pavilion construction site west of the hospital. We will be posting new videos around the first of each month.
- Follow signs to East Tower hospital entrance. Park in Central Parking Garage or North Parking Garage for easiest access to hospital entrance.
Please understand that the schedule may change.