Valley Medical Center plans to expand its busy Birth Center, which typically hovers at around 90 to 95 percent capacity and where more than 3,000 babies are born each year.

The key to expanding The Birth Center is moving the beds now in neighborhing 2 West wing on the hospital’s second floor to the top two floors of the South Tower, home to the emergency department.

Valley’s Board of Commissioners on Monday approved 3-1 the call for bids for a roughly $18.4 million project to “build out” those top two floors, totaling 50,000 square feet, that were left unfinished when the tower opened in February 2010. That work would add 60 beds to the tower.

With the 2 West space, The Birth Center will add 24 post-partem beds.

Commissioner Anthony Hemstad voted against the expansion, saying it should be discussed with UW Medicine, which is negotiating a strategic alliance with Valley Medical. Also, he questioned whether now is the time to add to taxpayer burdens.

However, the money is available through an already approved bond issue, which specified how the money was to be spent, including building out those top-two floors.

Commissioner Don Jacobson said the decision how to spend tax dollars rests with the hospital district’s board, not the alliance trustees, and the need has been established.

As part of the strategic alliance, UW Medicine could expand its physician training program in obstetrics to Valley Medical.