The Way Station is a collaboration between Opportunity Council, Unity Care NW, and the Whatcom County Health Department to provide much needed services to Bellingham’s unsheltered population. This major renovation of a 1970s pre-engineered metal building owned by Whatcom County, required the project team’s diligence to creatively and cost-effectively implement strategies to improve the compromised building.
The scope of work was to renovate the ground floor to accommodate a new Respite Care Suite and separate Hygiene Center and remodel the County Morgue, also adding a new imaging room. The upper floor renovation included demoing an existing health services lab to create three office suites for various County Health Department service units and the Medical Examiner’s office.
The Respite Center, operated by the Opportunity Council and PeaceHealth provides medical recovery for ambulatory houseless people discharged from the hospital. The space was designed to support up to 16 patients and includes a small kitchen and dining room. The design for the Hygiene Center, operated by Unity Care NW enables people to access showers, laundry facilities, and restrooms. Case management services link visitors and clients with social services, healthcare resources, and stable housing opportunities.