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.
Please note that the following dates are tentative and are subject to change.
December 2025:
- Work continues on the Central Utility Plant near the hospital loading dock.
- Emergency vehicle access route at Squalicum Parkway and Ellis closed for trenching work to install electrical ducts and reconstruct ADA ramps.
- Statue of St. Joseph to be removed from former main entrance to be placed in storage until new permanent location found.
- In late December continued trenching outside Emergency Department will reduce parking spaces for patients and visitors.
April 2026: Next community forum on construction progress.
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.
Early 2021: PeaceHealth began planning an expansion with an amendment to our Institutional Master Plan (IMP).
June 2022: Amended IMP filed with the city for review.
August 2022: Application for new parking garage filed with the city for review.
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.
December 2024: Paulsen Pavilion Planned Development Permit application submitted to the City for review.
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.
April 10, 2025: Community forum about construction progress.
July 28, 2025, at 11 p.m.: 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.
Sept. 29-Oct. 17, 2025, approximately: 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.
Oct. 13, 2025: Community forum about construction progress.
November 2025: Squalicum Parkway Improvements completed. Project began in June 2025.
Nov. 21, 2025: Emergency vehicle access route at Squalicum Parkway and Ellis Street fenced off for trenching to install utilities and reconstruct ADA ramps.
Construction Updates
Construction updates will be provided here. Please check back regularly for the latest information.
The images show where work will take place on the PeaceHealth St. Joseph campus and along Squalicum Parkway.
Construction Updates
- Follow signs to East Tower hospital entrance. Park in Central Parking Garage or North Parking Garage for easiest access to hospital entrance.
- 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.
- Emergency vehicle access route at Squalicum Parkway and Ellis Street reopens Jan. 16. This opens access to 10 designated overflow Emergency Department patient/visitor parking spaces just past the lights, on the east side of the Northwest Medical Center, aka Fountain Building.
- Beginning Jan. 20, motorists dropping off patients at the Emergency Department will need to access the entrance via the Squalicum Parkway and Ellis Street emergency vehicle route. Approximately 20 patient/visitor parking spaces outside the ED entrance will be blocked off. This phase of construction will continue through Feb. 5.
- 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.
Please understand that the schedule may change.
Community Forums
April 10, 2025 Community Forum
October 13, 2025 Community Forum
Questions, concerns or comments?
Please use the form below to submit your questions, concerns or comments about construction at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center.
