WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County residents will soon have a chance to learn more about the new jail and behavioral care center.

The team that’s designing and building the facilities is hosting a community engagement workshop in Ferndale next month.

They’ll give a progress update, answer questions from the public and listen to any priorities that people want to see included in the design and services of both buildings.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that the county selected a mix of four local and national firms to design and build the new jail last month, including Bellingham-based RMC Architects and RAM Construction.

The county also recently opened a website where residents can keep track of progress on the new jail, as well as other objectives of the Justice Project.

Next month’s workshop will take place at the Pioneer Pavilion Community Center in Ferndale on Nov. 20 from 6-8 p.m.

Construction of the new jail on LaBounty Drive will begin in 2026 and the county expects it to be finished by summer 2028 at the earliest.