BELLINGHAM, WA. – (KGMI.com) More emergency shelter space will be available near downtown Bellingham this winter.

The Whatcom County Council approved a lease agreement with State Street Creamery to operate Bellingham’s severe winter shelter this season.

The creamery’s vacant building is scheduled to be torn down next year.

Space at 810 North State Street will be available when forecasts show an overnight low of 28 degrees or less or precipitation of two inches or more.

Opening decisions will be made two days in advance, according to Whatcom County Health and Community Services, and it will be open from 5 pm – 8 am when available.

The shelter is expected to open by mid-November and can hold up to 45 people on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The County Council also approved a jointly funded winter shelter with the City of Bellingham at Civic Field.

It will be open nightly from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. starting December 1st and can hold up to 45 people as well.

More information, including updates and notifications about shelter openings, can be found here.