BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The new Whatcom County Jail may need nearly 500 beds by the time it’s built.

That’s according to Eric Ratts, a national expert in jail capacity studies who gave a presentation to the county council earlier this week.

Ratts found that the new jail would need around 400 beds to fit today’s needs, but projects that it would need at least 80 more beds by 2030.

That need jumps to 720 beds by the year 2050 based on projected growth in the county’s population.

The current jail in downtown Bellingham contains 212 beds, according to Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deb Slater.

No decisions have been made yet on the new jail’s size, but the design builder will develop several capacity scenarios for the council to choose between once the builder is chosen in August.

The new jail on LaBounty Drive in Ferndale is targeted to be open by summer 2028.