Proposal For Store Going To Plan Panel

Thu., May 20, 1999

By Mike Prager mikeprager15@gmail.com (509) 459-5454

Developer Judy Hart takes her case for a new Fred Meyer store at Third and Thor to the Spokane Plan Commission on Wednesday.

Hart is seeking a change in the city’s comprehensive plan for a portion of the four-block site bounded by Third, Thor, Fifth and Ray.

The two southernmost blocks between Fourth and Fifth are designated for residential use, while the two northernmost blocks have already been slated for business use.

The public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the East Central Community Center.

The commission is considering expanding the commercial area that was approved by the City Council in 1996 in the two northern blocks of the development site.

Hart said she initially intended to develop a supermarket on the two blocks along Third Avenue, but when Fred Meyer stores became interested, they asked for a four-block site.

So Hart started buying the residential properties between Fourth and Fifth avenues to accommodate Fred Meyer’s plans.

Fred Meyer wants to build a 100,000 square-foot building plus 35,000 square feet on a mezzanine level.

The store would be built on land that is being considered for future freeway expansion. State officials have said that widening of Interstate 90 probably won’t occur for nearly 20 years and they cannot stop private businesses from being built on a possible freeway route.

Neighbors in the area have expressed concerns about an increase in traffic, but Fred Meyer officials said much of the store’s traffic will come from motorists who already use Thor and Third in their daily driving.

Fred Meyer executives said they plan to spend $30 million on the project and hire workers from the neighborhood to staff the store.

The Plan Commission has postponed its work on a new growth management comprehensive plan to consider the amendment sought by Hart to the current land-use plan.

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