BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Finding a parking spot near the emergency room in Bellingham is going to pose some challenges for the foreseeable future.

PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center said the parking lot on the west side of the main emergency department entrance is closing for roughly two years starting on Monday, May 11.

The hospital said it expects the closure to significantly limit the availability of public parking over the next two years. The ability to drop off and pick up at the ER, as well as parking at the childbirth center, will not be impacted by the closure.

Posted signs will help ER visitors find other parking, mainly towards the central garage on the east side of the campus with additional visitor parking at the north garage.

The 33 parking stalls on the west side of the ER are closing so construction crews can install stormwater infrastructure for the new Peter Paulsen Pavilion.

The six-story pavilion will expand services for women’s and children’s care along with the ER. It’s expected to be finished sometime in 2028.