Lynden Market Square design unveiled

Timothy Newcomb
Tribune assistant editor

  LYNDEN -- Plans for a remodeled Lynden Market Square, on the site of the former Cost Cutter store, will go to the Lynden Planning Commission June 12.
  Owners of the 8.8 acres at the corner of Front and 19th streets plan to turn the now-vacant lot and supermarket building into a mix of retail space and condominium units.
  Plans call for a conversion of the concrete block building, built in 1992, into 25,000 square feet of storage or warehouse space, nearly 8,000 square feet of office space and over 13,000 square feet of retail space in the front.
  A new retail building of over 8,000 square feet is planned to run west from the front of the building.
  Another 8,000-square-foot retail facility is planned along 19th Street and yet another of the same size for the corner of Front and 19th streets. A 19,200-square-foot retail building is slated for the southeast portion of the property.
  Thirty condominium units are planned for the northeast corner of the property, along Fishtrap Creek.
  In all, there would be 334 public parking spaces.
  The design, done by Dave Christensen of Bellingham, will really spruce up an otherwise vacant corner.
  “The intent is to provide a mix of residential and commercial uses and provide most of the parking internal to the site, so that there is more of an urban edge and gateway to Lynden, versus a sea of open parking on the corner, as it is now.”
  He added that leasing options will be open to both small and medium-sized commercial tennants.
  Amy Harksell, Lynden planning director, said that the plans meet all the necessary requirements in the mixed-use zone and for a shoreline permit.
  Harksell said that the applicant, Brown & Cole Inc., plans to refit the current structure and redo the facade.   Brown & Cole Stores closed the Cost Cutter store in December 2006 as part of bankruptcy proceedings. Brown & Cole Inc., a separate business, has partial ownership of the land with other local citizens.
  Harksell said that before the planning commission can recommend the project to the Lynden City Council, it will need to approve a shoreline permit. She is also recommending a development contract that ensures the entire site -- and not just the condominium space -- is constructed in general accordance with the site plans.
  “We are excited about the site redeveloping and the potential for new retail space,” she said. “This will be our first urban village type development.”
  The design retains one entrance off Front Street and the northernmost entrance off 19th Street. Harksell said that strong pedestrian elements within the plan encourage easy foot traffic flow.
  E-mail Timothy Newcomb at tim@lyndentribune.com.