Fred Meyer Redeveloping North Interstate Store

PORTLAND-Fred Meyer is preparing to raze its two-building North Interstate complex here and replace it with a new, larger Fred Meyer under one roof. The $20-million endeavor is expected to be complete in time for the 2004 holiday shopping season.

Located at 7404 N. Interstate Ave., the existing store is a one-level complex totaling 121,000 sf, including a main store and an ancillary building that holds the chain’s home, garden, sports and automotive departments. The new complex will consist of one two-level, 150,000-sf building that will sit where the ancillary building and its parking lot is now located, and a 9,000-sf commercial building at the corner of Lombard Street and Northeast Interstate Avenue.

Fred Meyer is a locally based 134-store chain owned by The Kroger Co. The impetus for the new Interstate store is likely the city’s new light rail line, which will run on North Interstate. A Fred Meyer spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.