Deluged with Development

Over the next 18 months, $110 million worth of commercial development is scheduled to take place in Hazel Dell, a city along Interstate 5 just north of Vancouver, Wash.

National retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target and Walgreen’s are planning new stores along Highway 99, north of 78th Street. McDonald’s and Applebee’s are proposing restaurants near the 99th Street exit off I-5. Office buildings and smaller retail stores are also under construction.

In addition to increased traffic counts, more married couples and rising household incomes, more efficient exits off I-5 at 78th and 99th streets also are spurring development. The roadwork, currently under way, will widen and improve I-5 from Main Street to just north of 78th at a cost of $ 41 million.

The development surge began last year when Columbia Credit Union invested $ 1.8 million in a new branch just off I-5 at 808 N.E. 98th Circle. New memberships were at three times normal levels after the first several months, credit union president David Doss has said. Applebee’s is now expected to build just to the east; McDonald’s on the west.

Elsewhere in town:

-The owners of Yard ‘N Garden Land will move their business from Highway 99 and 99th Street to make way for a Walgreen’s store. A video store, a bank and a hair salon now are close to signing lease agreements in 12,000 sf of space planned around the 15,000-sf Walgreen’s store. Yard ‘N Garden Land will move a block to the north.

-The H.H Hall Building, a 60,000-sf class-A office building will open at 10000 NE Seventh St. The $9 million project by Larry Pruitt of Northwest Investments has lined up as tenants Illusion Technologies, John L. Scott, Chicago Title and GMAC Mortgage.

-A 285,000-sf retail development anchored by a Target store is beginning the development permitting process. Hazel Dell Towne Center is proposed for 28.5 acres at Northeast 90th Street, west of I-5. Construction is slated for next spring. The developer is Bellevue, Wash.-based Alexandria Investment Co.

-The second Wal-Mart store in Clark County is under construction on 13 acres between Highway 99 and I-5, immediately south of the Cinema 99 movie theater complex. Roadside retail pads will front the 141,000-sf store.

-Construction will begin this fall on Totem Pole Retail Center, a 12,600-sf retail development on the former Totem Pole restaurant site at the southwest corner Northeast 78th Street and Highway 99. A Hollywood Video and a Starbucks will anchor the space. Portland-based P&F Properties of the Northwest is the developer.