Plans to revamp the IGA grocery store, the adjacent Alec’s By the Sea restaurant and ACE Hardware/Buck Electric building have been filed with the city of Ocean Shores and posted on the various businesses to be affected.

In a description of the proposal, Ocean Sunset Redevelopment proposes “to develop a new master plan for the entire site of the existing grocery store, restaurant, hardware store and parking area with improved pedestrian and traffic circulation in the vicinity of the roundabout at the intersection of Point Brown Ave. and E. Chance a la Mer NE, Ocean Shores.”

The proposal includes a future new single-story grocery store (approximately 28,200 square feet), a new four-story mixed use building with stacked dwelling units over ground-level retail uses, and a single-story retail building with associated drive-through.

“Renovations proposed include an exterior facade remodel of the existing retail businesses and restaurant to align the design intent throughout the entire site,” the proposal states.

Ocean Sunset is joined by Sherri Grueneis-Miller, Freiheit & Ho Architects of Kirkland in the project.

The city has determined the proposal does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment if certain conditions are mitigated, the posted document states, and an environmental impact statement is not required.

Mayor Crystal Dingler said the city has met several times with the Dick Morris family, who own the property.

“They are very interested in upgrading the buildings and utilizing more of that property they own between the Post Office and Pt. Brown,” Dingler said.

“I am very enthused about the possible upgrades and addition of new mixed use buildings,” Dingler added. “That area of town is very important. I believe that visitors and residents all frequent the grocery and hardware stores. To have improvements and additional businesses there would be great. A real plus for Ocean Shores.”

We had a very long recession and it is good to see some of the businesses upgrading their look and doing maintenance, as the City tries to upgrade those areas that are our responsibility.

Among the special conditions, the city is asking for:

• A site plan showing the proposed new and redeveloped properties.

• A stormwater site plan is required.

• An erosion control device must be installed to prevent construction sediment and debris from blowing onto adjacent properties and city streets.

• Reaching agreement with the city for any proposed traffic revisions.

• All required permits must be obtained prior to starting any construction.

• A traffic impact analysis will be required because of the volume of both commercial and residential improvements.

“At this time, they are just going through the SEPA process and will be working with the state agencies to determine what they will be allowed to do,” Dingler said.