Developer plans six-building mall for Lexington
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 11:41 PM PDT
By Tony Lystra
Printable version
E-mail this articleA Seattle investment company announced plans Tuesday for an 80,000-square-foot shopping mall in Lexington that could include a grocery store as well as restaurants and shops.
The project’s scope is comparable in size to the WinCo grocery store in Longview, which is 92,000 square feet.
Real estate investor Grubb & Ellis said the shopping center, at the corner of Solomon Road and West Side Highway, will include six buildings, the largest of which will be around 25,000-square-feet.
The project is being built by Chuck Hutchinson and Michael Webber of the Cowlitz County developer Lands End, Inc.
Lexington is one of the county’s fastest-growing areas, yet there hardly are any retailers along West Side Highway, the company said in a statement.
Lexington, which lines the west side of the Cowlitz River north of Longview, recently was linked to Interstate 5 by a new two-lane bridge at Sparks Drive. An 85-lot subdivision is being built nearby. Another 80-home development is planned farther north, in Castle Rock.
“We think this is a great opportunity,” said Joe McCone, a broker representing the mall’s developer. “I know there’s nothing out there in that north-end market.”
Grubb & Ellis said the county’s CUBS bus service is considering expanding its routes to include Lexington, and the developer is planning to build a bus stop at the shopping center.
Construction is expected to begin this summer. The first phase, a 23,000-square-foot retail building with four second-floor office spaces, should be completed by the first quarter of next year, the company said.
McCone estimated the entire complex could be built by the end of 2009.
He said the center, known as Lexington Marketplace, may include a few fast-food restaurants, a more traditional restaurant, a grocery store, tanning salon and art studio. No deals with any of the tenants have been finalized, he said.
The company said that the center will be “modeled after Longview’s Triangle Mall.”
ummm.... WHAT wrote on May 13, 2008 11:58 PM:
" OK, let me see if I understand this completely. The Three Rivers Mall is a ghost town. The Triangle Center is only really busy on payday. Gasoline prices are outrageously high, and still climbing. No new grocery store will have prices that can compete with WinCo. The unemployment rate in Cowlitz County keeps rising at astronomical rates... AND THEY WANT TO BUILD A BRAND NEW SHOPPING MALL WITH A GROCERY STORE??!!??? If these people were any more foolish, they'd be running for President! "
bushmaster wrote on May 14, 2008 3:05 AM:
" re: ummm....WHAT
and don't forget, all of that is being built on the pumped silt out of the Cowlitz River.
"
and don't forget, all of that is being built on the pumped silt out of the Cowlitz River.
"
doom and gloom wrote on May 14, 2008 3:39 AM:
" yup its a real third world crisis out there...the price of our necessities are rising...we may have to get bigger limits on our credit cards so we can better afford our wave runners, motorcycles, 5 cars, oversized house, and 6 flat screen tvs. Its a crisis i tell ya... "
Heartless wrote on May 14, 2008 5:16 AM:
" This is a great idea. It will reduce some of the traffic out of that area and create new jobs. "
Personally Peeved wrote on May 14, 2008 5:43 AM:
" As a resident of Lexington, I can tell you that one of the reasons my family was drawn to the area was because of the peaceful residential atmosphere it inhabited. Nobody out here is sitting around thinking, "Gee it would be nice if I didnt have to go the extra 3 miles it takes to get to McDonalds!" We dont mind driving the 5 mins it takes to get to down town Longview/Kelso, especially if it means less traffic on WestSide Hwy. Next thing you know there will be a stop light at every turn just like Ocean Beach Hwy. And by the way, Don't we already have too many fast food restaurants, grocery stores and tanning salons in this area? Whats next? Tearing out Riverside Park to make room for another bank, chinese restaurant, or Starbucks? Everybody knows Longview/Kelso doesnt have enough of those either! Leave Lexington Alone! "
Re Personally Peeved wrote on May 14, 2008 6:15 AM:
" You don't have to worry about Riverside Park. As I understand it, that area is scheduled for future dredge spoils from the expanded Cowlitz River project. The dredge spoils from 1980-81 have settled for the required 25 years and that is why it is now permissable to build on them. Home construction on the dredge spoils has been going on for some time now between Lexington and Castle Rock.
Maybe when they fill Riverside Park with dredge spoils and then re-build it they will be smart enough to put in a boat launch this time.
Myself, I look forward to Burger King, Mickey "D", Taco Time & KFC in Lexington. With the new bridge it makes for easy access off I-5. "
Maybe when they fill Riverside Park with dredge spoils and then re-build it they will be smart enough to put in a boat launch this time.
Myself, I look forward to Burger King, Mickey "D", Taco Time & KFC in Lexington. With the new bridge it makes for easy access off I-5. "
Rocket wrote on May 14, 2008 6:31 AM:
" To Personally Peeved: Do you really think that Lexington will be all residential with no big "Investment Groups" getting their hands on some of that disposable income? Oh no no no... as long as their is some parcel of flat or semi-flat ground out there, it will soon be paved. You know what they say "If you pave it, they will come..." I don't think people realized (until after it was built) how much that new bridge opened up access to Lexington. Now they need to tear down some houses to make room for more stores. "
common man wrote on May 14, 2008 7:06 AM:
" Just another reason why we need to update the 33 year old Comp Plan, communities should get a say in their future. "
Nimby wrote on May 14, 2008 7:18 AM:
" I'm in the Ostrander area. Sounds good to me, because it is not in my back yard. "
This can be a good thing wrote on May 14, 2008 7:18 AM:
" Development is always inevitable. Where there is people, retail will come. With the soaring gas prices, I think Lexington residents will find it a godsend to have a grocery store and other retail establishments in their town. It costs soooooo much to drive through Longview, with its congestion and insanely long stops a traffic lights. I'm sure a gallon of milk will cost more in Lexington, but I'm sure in the long run it will be cheaper than driving to Winco. "
Re Heartless wrote on May 14, 2008 7:20 AM:
" Unfortunately, projects like this usually don't create new jobs. Small shops only employ a few people, and grocery stores usually bring their own employees from other areas. It would open up maybe 10-15 jobs, I would say, and minimum wage at that. Lexington was a nice area in the past because there was nothing around. Now it's full of housing developments and soon a mini mall? So sad our world is so mainstream. "
Well wrote on May 14, 2008 8:06 AM:
" One would think with the high gas prices , it would be nice to have something closer to run to the store for, or a bank branch, etc. so to eliminate so much driving. Even a mile saved adds up with gas. I would hate to see the area become like Ocean Beach though. "
Personally Peeved wrote on May 14, 2008 8:13 AM:
" I understand that change and growth is inevitable. Longview/Kelso has proven that, the US in general has proven that. But that doesnt mean that I have to agree with it or like it! With new businesses comes more people, with more people comes more low-lifes, with more low-lifes comes more crime. Crime hasnt taken its toll on Lexington thus far, except for a few rare instances. I simply wished that my children would have the opportuniy to grow up in a safe neighborhood. I thought I had found that in Lexington, at least as safe of a neighborhood that could be found in this day and age. It is truly sad that children today cannot play in their own front yard w/o fear of something happening to them. With these new businesses coming in it will only be a matter of time before The Daily News' Crime Map shows Lexington as peppered with crime as the rest of Longview/Kelso is. "
JOBS wrote on May 14, 2008 8:28 AM:
" I HOPE THIS WILL BRING MORE JOBS TO THIS CRAPPY AREA WE NEED MORE JOBS TO THIS AREA WHERE YOU DONT HAVE TO HAVE A FREAKING DEGREE TO WORK. OR SO MANY YEARS IN SCHOOL. MOST OF THESE JOBS THAT YOU NEED ALL OF THIS ARE JOBS THAT ARE EASY TO LEARN ANYWAY. "
kiki wrote on May 14, 2008 8:57 AM:
" I too live in Lexington for the same reasons stated by "Personally Peeved". I hated the new bridge and I really hate this. It is amazing home many homes have gone up for sale in the past year since the coming of the new bridge. These people also came to Lexington for the reason on being "out" of the mainstream and now that it is becoming just what we all were trying to get away from, more and more houses will be for sale. We all work in town anyway, so stopping at Winco on the way home is not a big deal. Leave out community ALONE! "
Re Well wrote on May 14, 2008 9:09 AM:
" Yes Im sure some people would see your point of it being nice to have things closer, especially with gas prices the way they are. But honestly I would rather pay the extra 50 cents it takes in gas to get to town, if it means my neighborhood stays quiet and quaint! If I wanted to live closer to MickeyD's or Winco, I would have moved closer to them! "
Curious wrote on May 14, 2008 9:11 AM:
" What grocery store. It would be great to have a QFC or Albertsons... I'd drive to it from Kelso. I'm an avid couponer and Winco IS NOT the best place to shop... Safeway and Freddy's are (if you coupon shop). Albertsons and QFC are the next best. "
Great News wrote on May 14, 2008 9:21 AM:
" I live in Lexington and I am very excited about this development. Not only does it offer more convenient shopping, but if the CUBS line becomes a reality, some of us we will be able to commute to work via bus. Life is full of change. For the most part, I believe the vast majority of residents in Lexington will welocme the proposal. "
people wrote on May 14, 2008 9:49 AM:
" have to live somewhere. and community grocery stores are needed. think about it. if it comes down to having to walk to the grocery store, winco is quite a days journey. but then, I live in a town that only has outdated/dented food in its main store. lexington is growing, just as any other place is. why people continue to move here is beyond me. "
Scooby wrote on May 14, 2008 10:29 AM:
" Build new schools not new malls!
Beacon Hill elementary has over 600 students. How terrible. "
Beacon Hill elementary has over 600 students. How terrible. "
mall lover wrote on May 14, 2008 10:41 AM:
" Don't get me wrong I am a woman and the more stores/malls close to my home is a plus! BUT why can't we fix the sad boring Three Rivers Mall?! There is more empty stores than occupied! And we don't need anymore tanning salons in this town either! In a way I agree with "Personally Peeved" We don't need anymore starbucks either or anything of that sort! Since this is happening put something good like an Old Navy or something like that! And more Restaurants NOT fast food! We already have a BUNCH of those more in town! A grocery store would be GREAT!!! Especially for people that live in lexington! I know I live Pleasant Hill and I HATE going all the way into town to get milk or something! So im stuck in the middle on this! "
What the wrote on May 14, 2008 10:43 AM:
" Get over it! I used to live in Lexington and now really miss it. But anyways I just think it would be nice to have a place like Bakers Corner out there. I always thought it was a pain to run back to town for just a couple of things. And well maybe the Chevron should have expanded when the bridge was built and maybe this would not have happened. I mean look ant the one industrial way and how they have the indy way dinner, just think it would have been nice. "
and wrote on May 14, 2008 11:21 AM:
" This plan is the future of Lexington and follows the path of typical expansion. The first guy to build a taco-bell etc in Lexington is going to be a rich man. I'm sorry if you dont understand growth, but your purchase of that home in Lexington pointed to all of this. "
My Goodness wrote on May 14, 2008 12:40 PM:
" I was a resident of Lexington before my divorce. My ex-husband wanted the house and I wanted my children. That reason and that reason alone is why I don't still live in Lexington. I love Lexington. And that people are willing to invest into that area is very impressive. We are not a "tiny" town anymore. Face it people....Longview/Kelso is a growing area! We should welcome it! I know that each and everyone of you complaining will at least go to one of the new places this marketplace will house. I bet you have all crossed the new bridge, although you were opposed to it! Don't be a hypocrite! Get real! "
Nice wrote on May 14, 2008 1:51 PM:
" I think it is great as a lexington resident! I do want to say I am a little embarresed to say I live in this community- These comments are just so negative and angry- smile people! "
Just outside lexington wrote on May 14, 2008 1:57 PM:
" I Live a few miles down wetside outside of lexington. I think it would be nice to have a grocery store a little closer with gas prices they way they are. Putting in the bridge has made safeway way more accessable for our family. The only part about the whole project I don't like is the addition of fast food resturants. Are thoses really that necessary? maybe bring in some style of food that we don't currently have in this town. What are our real choices now. Fast food, american, chinese and Mexican.. get creative. attract business that will make change. "
TreeFrog wrote on May 14, 2008 2:13 PM:
" It's a bad idea to bring so much businesses'into a community like what is now being planned. Think about it, when you move to an area that is peaceful, you did so for that reason or you would have stayed in town closer to all the shops and resturants .... why ruin the area, I don't understand urban folks who want business all around them only to be miserable later. "
TreeFrog wrote on May 14, 2008 2:21 PM:
" When it comes to jobs in these shops and grocerie stores .... as "JOBS" was saying, what kind of living will a minimum wage job provide? not much $$$ there to live on. Longview needs jobs that will provide a decent income, not grocery stores and waiting tables wages. "
Where will it be wrote on May 14, 2008 4:19 PM:
" At the corner of Solomon Road and West Side Highway. Where is this location? I can't find it on my maps or Google maps. It must be a big plot of land, but I can't figure out where it is. "
sps wrote on May 14, 2008 5:27 PM:
" I live in Lexington and figure what happens...happens. The bridge is great! I would like to see more public transportation. As for 'fast' food...How 'bout Chipotle or Baja Fresh where people can make smarter food choices. "
Trader Joes wrote on May 14, 2008 5:51 PM:
" If the largest building is going to be 25,000 square feet, maybe a Trader Joe's will be coming to town. Now noone can complain about that. That would be awesome!!!!! "
What about dredge spoils wrote on May 14, 2008 7:10 PM:
" I think the shopping center will end up empty a year after it is built and by the way the Three Rivers Mall was built on dredge spoils. "
Whats wrong wrote on May 14, 2008 7:35 PM:
" What's wrong with a minimum wage job as a second income for some families? If the main income is around $50,000.00 and your spouse works a minimum wage job and brings home $15,000.00 a year. That would be $65,000.00 a year for the household. Not to bad for this area. "
resident wrote on May 14, 2008 8:09 PM:
" To those of you that bought houses in Lexington over the last ten years, we bought out here years ago because it was a quiet community with lots of open land. We knew all our neighbors and our kids all played in each other's yards. Then they paved all the fields we used to look out the window at and built a huge housing development. Then another, and another. Now my quiet dead end street has become a major thoroughfare with kids on dirt bikes racing up and down the street, dogs allowed to run loose even after they've bitten several people (yes I called the sheriff, that got me nowhere) and kids sitting on roofs throwing their empty beer cans in my backyard. Since you all moved out here, our peaceful neighborhood is no longer. I don't think building a mall or not building one is going to bring that back. For those of you worried about building on dredge spoils, the 7th Day Adventist Church and the apartment complex behind it are built on dredge spoils. And for "where will it be" Solomon Road is the road you turn onto to get to the church. It will be on the NW corner of that intersection. "
to common man wrote on May 14, 2008 8:19 PM:
" News flash common man - updating the comprehensive plan would have no effect on the Lexington area, which is zoned. "
To Personally Peeved wrote on May 14, 2008 8:23 PM:
" You said: Nobody out here is sitting around thinking, "Gee it would be nice if I didnt have to go the extra 3 miles it takes to get to McDonalds!" That was you first blatant lie. Can you prove that, or have you done a scientific poll of every resident in the area? Beyond this, the remainder of your post(s) are rubbish as well. If your peeved, state your opinion. Just don't tell outright lie after lie and expect anyone to believe you, ok? "
To ummmm.... WHAT wrote on May 14, 2008 8:35 PM:
" The problem with people like you trying to think so hard is how foolish (nice word, huh?) you are. Unemployment rates are rising astronomically? Not true. Foolish decision based on that - and gas prices, etc? New jobs reduce unemployment, so you should explain yourself here too. Lastly, you should consider the likelihood that planning for this project began one, two or more years ago. By the time it is complete, the economy will likely be much improved over today, unemployment will still be on the DECLINE, and gas prices may be lower as well. What were you saying about "foolish?" "
Cactus Ya Ya wrote on May 14, 2008 10:45 PM:
" You cant just build one Carls Jr. As I recall you need to build five, and have two million in bank reserves to play the game. All the conversation about growth being mentioned in this little forum have been tinkered and calculated years ago, this is nothing new actually. If your thinking about growth in Lexington you are ten years behind people who already did those calculations. "
WAIT wrote on May 15, 2008 1:40 AM:
" Is Barack Obama posting in here??? It sure looks like it. The person talking about how long these plans have been pending, with all of their "facts" about how minimum wage jobs are good for the local economy sound A LOT like the man who said, "America is the greatest country in the world! We need change!", Barack Obama. Now, will someone please explain why we would want to change from the greatest? ...and will someone please tell us why Barack Obama is wasting his time posting about Lexington? Shouldn't he be somewhere bashing the white, Christian, arms bearing citizens of the United States of America? "
Personally Peeved wrote on May 15, 2008 9:14 AM:
" To whoever called me out as a liar, you want my opinion? It is my 'opinion' that you have nothing better to do then to try to make yourself feel better by ragging on everyone else. Maybe you should try rereading my comments. I do believe that they are all based on my opinion. I will give it to you that, Yes you are right that I haven't taken any "scientific poll" to prove my statement. But what I have done is talked to numerous neigbors, friends and family living in the Lexington area, who all feel the same way I do. My McDonalds comment was a generalization based on those conversations. Most people reading it were able to grasp that concept. I am sorry it was too complex for you to understand. As for the rest of my "rubbish" I do believe that All I was doing was stating my opinion. It is my 'opinion' that these new business' will take its toll on my neighborhood. It is my 'opinion' that Westside Hwy will soon be peppered with more and more stop lights. It is my 'opinion' Longview/Kelso has more then its fair share of banks, chinese restaurants and Starbucks. Unless your in my head, you cannot tell me that my opinions are blatant lie after lie. Thats the beauty of personal opinions. Finally, it is my 'opinion' that I have wasted too much time on you with this comment. "
to Wait wrote on May 15, 2008 9:41 AM:
" I thought this thread was to voice our opinion about a shopping center, not to spew racism and political rants. BTW, Mr. Obama is half white, so your "white" superior attitude doesn't totally cut it in this instance, but then, I'm one of the professional, college educated minority folks who left the area when I decided that 2 years of bigotry was enough to take. Please show me an actual quote where he "bashed" the christian, white, gun toting citizens, I can't find it. "
ST wrote on May 15, 2008 9:52 AM:
" Trader Joe's, New Seasons, Whole Foods, anything but WinCo, Safeway, or Albertson's. Be nice to have a small grocery store that stocked local produce and meats. "
solomon road resident wrote on May 15, 2008 10:09 AM:
" I like it the way it is. I do not want to live next door to a srip mall. If I did, I would not have moved to this area. I don't know of many people who work in the Lexington area and would assume most of them like myself stop at the store while they are in town working. We do not need a tanning salon right next door. I will be moving in to town so I can save money on gas because it no longer makes a difference, what with tonw moving next to me! "
Justin from Lexington wrote on May 15, 2008 11:35 AM:
" Well Mr. or Mrs. Personally Peeved. I for one love the idea of having this mini mall or strip mall and maybe a Starbucks and some other thing at that one land that is by River Bend or selliing that big West Side Haven to a big time store or another mini mall. I love change. I have been coming to Lexington and living here for a very long time, and it's just awesome to see the new houses being built. Also they really need to buil a new mall or redo three rivers. maybe at the Longview Wye. "
Just another Lexi Res wrote on May 15, 2008 12:11 PM:
" Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Those on here who are for it and those on here who are against it. I have no doubt that those who are against it will eventually find themselves shopping and enjoying the convenience of the new stores. That being said, I also have no doubt that those who are for it will eventually find themselves complaining about the added traffic and congestion they face on their ride home from work because of it. Life is full of complaints, this is just another reason for them. It sounds like a pretty done deal, so take it as you may, and deal with it. "
former lexington resident wrote on May 15, 2008 1:01 PM:
" I grew up in lexington. I lived there for 16 years. We rode our bikes everywhere, new all are neighbors, took are allowences up to the minute mart and blew it on junk. There are too many fond memories to mention. Anyways We used to walk thru what used to be a field, It's now a bunch of houses right across from the store. We would all say "wouldn't it be so cool if they built a mall here, or even better yet an amusment park!" (we were like 12 :) It's kind of sad cause now i drive thru sometimes and i don't even recognize it. But it reminds me of that saying "the only thing permanent in life is change" "
To Personally Peeved wrote on May 15, 2008 5:02 PM:
" Wow! I can see why you are upset! You've been posting repeately on here-very angrily and on a very beautiful day too. Obviously the reason you are so upset it because you don't have a job and won't be able to frequent the new establishments. Thank god for you today is Thursday so you can drive the extra 3 miles to McDonalds and take advantage of the 2 Big Macs for $3! If you get your blood sugar back up maybe you wont' be so cranky! "
To Personally Peeved wrote on May 15, 2008 6:16 PM:
" Gee - one second you are worried about the safety of your children and the next you are upset at the possibility of having to stop for extra traffic lights. Ever think (I know it can be hard) that traffic lights could keep your children from being hit by a fast moving vehicle??? "
Past Month's Most Commented Stories