New Lynnwood shopping center to open in ‘09

Published 11:04 pm Tuesday, September 16, 2008

LYNNWOOD — A new shopping center with a large Fred Meyer store and seven smaller retail buildings is taking shape at the intersection of 164th Street SW and Alderwood Mall Parkway.

The Northpointe Retail Center, at the intersection’s southwest corner, should be opening in the second half of 2009, said Mike Echelbarger, president of Echelbarger Investments and one of the principal owners of the shopping center property.

While 164th is a busy thoroughfare, recent residential and business development around it hasn’t been matched by the addition of shopping, Echelbarger said. “It’s urbanized, but there are few urban services here,” he said. Noting he lives in the neighborhood, Echelbarger said the nearest grocery stores are several miles away on the east side of I-5. The new shopping center will remedy that.

The 186,000-square-foot Fred Meyer will feature skylights throughout the store, said Kurt Burkhart, project manager for MulvannyG2, which is designing the retail center. He said the layout of buildings over the 18-acre site is intended to be pedestrian-friendly, with plenty of sidewalks, a “main street” feel and an outdoor plaza.

“We’ve tried to make this a one-stop shopping center,” added Echelbarger, who said that the shopping center has at least preliminary commitments for about one-third of the 42,000 square feet of retail space to be built near Fred Meyer. Redfield Real Estate Services of Mill Creek is handling leasing at the center.

Among those prospective tenants is Starbucks and at least one restaurant. A number of other restaurants also have expressed interest, Echelbarger said.

Reporter Eric Fetters: 425-339-3453 or fetters@heraldnet.com.