Lakeland Health Parking Improvements – St. Joseph, Michigan

Lakeland Health partnered with Wightman to address significant site challenges at two key facilities — the Center for Outpatient Care and the Napier Avenue Hospital — where aging pavement, poor soils, and drainage issues were impacting safety and accessibility.

 

At the Center for Outpatient Care, Wightman worked closely with the client to evaluate failing pavement conditions and develop a comprehensive redesign of the parking and circulation systems. Together, we created solutions that not only resolved the site’s structural and drainage problems but also enhanced accessibility, safety, and user experience. The new layout brings parking and pedestrian routes closer to the building, and all ADA-accessible spaces now connect directly to sidewalks, improving comfort and convenience for patients and visitors alike.

 

For the Napier Avenue Hospital, Wightman collaborated with both Lakeland Health and the County Road Commission to negotiate an innovative land-sharing agreement that benefited all parties. This partnership allowed the hospital to expand its parking area while providing the county with improved access and staging space for nearby bridge maintenance. To maximize parking capacity on a constrained site, Wightman designed an underground stormwater detention system and implemented site features that minimize light impact on neighboring residences. Our team also assisted in obtaining Planned Unit Development (PUD) approval from the City, streamlining the project’s path forward.

 

Through thoughtful design, proactive coordination, and genuine collaboration, Wightman helped Lakeland Health transform necessary infrastructure improvements into opportunities for patient satisfaction, operational efficiency, and community benefit.