Fred Meyer E East Central

Fred Meyer stores has joined a Spokane land developer on a proposal to build a big new store at Third and Thor in the East Central Neighborhood.

Spokane developer Judy Hart has bought four square blocks of old residential land bounded by Third, Thor, Fifth and Ray. She has filed for a change in the comprehensive land-use plan for the two southernmost blocks of the site, and the Spokane City Council in January asked the Plan Commission to consider a land-use amendment. The two northern blocks of property are already slotted for commercial development.

Fred Meyer is planning a 103,000-square-foot building with a 35,000-square-foot retail mezzanine for apparel. The store would face Thor.

Fred Meyer officials said as many as six out of 10 jobs at the store would be filled by East Central residents.