Waterfront planning moves forward

A Seattle architect hired by the Port of Camas-Washougal has referred to the potential of a Fred Meyer store and fuel station opening near Washougal Waterfront Park and Trail, but the developer of some of that land said no agreements are in place.

David Hansen, of Hansen Design, LLC, mentioned the retail supermarket company several times during a special port commission workshop Dec. 14, while presenting a draft master planning vision for development of a portion of the former Hambleton Lumber Company property.

The port has a $25,000 contract with Hansen to create a master plan for the land at 335 S. “A” St., Washougal.

The port owns 27 acres, and Parker’s Landing LLC owns 13 acres on the waterfront.

“It sounds like any comments on Fred Meyer came from someone who is not affiliated with our company or a consultant thereto,” Lance Killian wrote in an email Monday.

Killian is the president of Killian Pacific, a commercial real estate development and investment company in Vancouver.

Parker’s Landing LLC is represented by Killian.

“There is no set size of buildings at this point,” he wrote, Dec. 15. “Whatever we build won’t be a big box, but an attractive building(s).”

Zach Stratton, a Fred Meyer spokesperson, said the company will always look into new store opportunities, but the status of a potential site in Washougal is unknown at this point.

According to the company website, Fred Meyer stores average 150,000 square feet and carry more than 225,000 items.

Stratton said each of the two locations in East Vancouver has approximately 250 employees.

“This includes both full-time and part-time associates,” he said.

Killian said in August development of the waterfront could create more than 500 jobs.

A parking garage, day care, health club, coffee shop, restaurant, office spaces, a retail village, hotel and multi-family and single-family residential are among the development options mentioned by Hansen.

Port Commissioner Bill Ward said having a “big box” retail business on the site is a given.

Hansen said it is not the best use but it drives traffic, “so use it.”

He said businesses such as a movie theater and Big Al’s (bowling alley, arcade and sports bar and grill) would attract people to the waterfront site during the evenings and weekends.

Kyle Woodley, a development manager with Killian Pacific, said none of the development will happen without an anchor.

“Except residential,” he said. “Residential could entice the anchor to come.”